Background Red tattoos are prone to allergic reactions. The identity of the allergen(s) is mostly unknown. Objectives Chemical analysis of human skin biopsies from chronic allergic reactions in red tattoos to identify culprit pigment(s) and metals. Material and methods One hundred four dermatome biopsies were analyzed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS/MS) for identification of commonly used organic pigments. Metal concentrations were assessed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP)‐MS and x‐ray fluorescence (XRF). Fourteen patients had cross‐reactions in other red tattoos. Results In total, the identified pigments were mainly azo Pigment Red (P.R.) 22 (35%), P.R. 210 (24%), P.R. 170 (12%), P.R. 5 (0.9%), P.R. 112 (0.9%), and Pigment Orange (P.O.) 13 (11%). P.R. 122 (0.9%) and Pigment Violet (P.V.) 23 (8%) were also common. P.R. 22, P.R. 170, and P.R. 210 also dominated in patients with cross‐reactions. In 22% of the biopsies, no red pigment was detected. Element analysis indicated the presence of the sensitizers nickel and chromium. Conclusions P.R. 22, P.R. 170, and P.R. 210 were identified as the prevailing pigments behind chronic allergic reactions in red tattoos. The epitope causing the reaction might be a pigment‐degradation product. Metal contamination may derive from different sources, and its role in red tattoo allergy cannot be ascertained.

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This study addresses the release of total silver (Ag) and silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) from textiles into artificial sweat, particularly considering the functionalization technology used in textile finishing. Migration experiments were conducted for four commercially available textiles and for six laboratory-prepared textiles. Two among these lab-prepared textiles represent materials in which Ag-NPs were embedded within the textile fibers (composites), whereas the other lab-prepared textiles contain Ag particles on the respective fiber surfaces (coatings). The results indicate a smaller release of total Ag from composites in comparison to surface-coated textiles. The particulate fraction determined within the artificial sweat was negligible for most textiles, meaning that the majority of the released Ag is present as dissolved Ag. It is also relevant to note that nanotextiles do not release more particulate Ag than conventional Ag textiles. The results rather indicate that the functionalization type is the most important parameter affecting the migration. Furthermore, after measuring different Ag-NP types in their pristine form with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in the single particle mode, there is evidence that particle modifications, like surface coating, may also influence the dissolution behavior of the Ag-NPs in the sweat solutions. These factors are important when discussing the likelihood of consumer exposure.

Inhalation is considered a critical uptake route for NMs, demanding for sound toxicity testing using relevant test systems. This study investigates cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in EpiAirway™ 3D human bronchial models using 16 well-characterized NMs, including surface-functionalized 15 nm SiO (4 variants), 10 nm ZrO (4), and nanosilver (3), ZnO NM-110, TiO NM-105, BaSO NM-220, and two AlOOH NMs. Cytotoxicity was assessed by LDH and ATP assays and genotoxicity by the alkaline comet assay. For 9 NMs, uptake was investigated using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Most NMs were neither cytotoxic nor genotoxic in vitro. ZnO displayed a dose-dependent genotoxicity between 10 and 25 µg/cm. Ag.50.citrate was genotoxic at 50 µg/cm. A marginal but still significant genotoxic response was observed for SiO.unmodified, SiO.phosphate and ZrO.TODS at 50 µg/cm. For all NMs for which uptake in the 3D models could be assessed, the amount taken up was below 5% of the applied mass doses and was furthermore dose dependent. For in vivo comparison, published in vivo genotoxicity data were used and in addition, at the beginning of this study, two NMs were randomly selected for short-term (5-day) rat inhalation studies with subsequent comet and micronucleus assays in lung and bone marrow cells, respectively, i.e., ZrO.acrylate and SiO.amino. Both substances were not genotoxic neither in vivo nor in vitro. EpiAirway™ 3D models appear useful for NM in vitro testing. Using 16 different NMs, this study confirms that genotoxicity is mainly determined by chemical composition of the core material.

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in numerous products and their potential accumulation causes major concern for humans and the environment. Until now, the uptake of NPs in plant tissue was mostly shown under greenhouse conditions at high doses and short exposure periods. Here, we present results on the uptake of particulate silver (Ag) and cerium dioxide (CeO2) in the tissues of Triticum aestivum, Brassica napus, and Hordeum vulgare, after exposure to sewage sludge treated with nano-Ag (NM300 K at 1.8 and 7.0 mg/kg sludge per dm soil) and nano-CeO2 (NM212 at 10 and 50 mg/kg sludge per dm soil). All plants were cultivated in a rural area near the German town Schmallenberg according to the common regional crop rotation on outdoor lysimeters. The highest concentrations measured were 86.4 mg/kg for Ag (Hordeum vulgare) and 94 mg/kg for Ce (Triticum sativum). Analysis of plant samples revealed the presence of Ag mainly in its ionic form. However, the occurrence of nano- and larger sized particles of Ag and CeO2 was observed as well. Quantitative shares of the particulate fraction of the total element concentration were estimated up to 22.4% for Ag and up to 85.1% for CeO2. A high abundance of particle agglomerates in the phloem suggests upward transport of the nanoparticles to other plant parts. A small number of agglomerates in the xylem suggests a downward transport and subsequent accumulation in the root phloem. Exemplary investigations of Brassica napus root exposed to nano-CeO2 revealed no accumulation of the pristine material in the cell nucleus; however, CePO4 was found. The presence of this substance points to a dissolution of the low soluble CeO2 in planta and subsequent precipitation. Furthermore, for the first time, mixed NP-salt agglomerates, composed of Ca3PO4 + and K3SO4 + NPs, could be observed within Brassica napus root tissue.