Nanotoxicology: An Interdisciplinary Challenge

Abstract

The increasing consumption of products containing nanomaterials that can be currently observed and forecasts of new developments and applications fan the fear of individuals and organizations regarding new risks to health. Considering experiences gained from previous technology developments, such fears are not completely unfounded. But are they really justified? And is it justified, moreover, to speak of "nanotoxicology" as a new discipline? This Review seeks to cast light on the phenomena that may occur as nanoobjects interact with cells, tissues, and organisms. Furthermore, we will demonstrate that the many data made available on the biological effects of nanomaterials do not always come from studies that can be considered reliable. We will point out the aspect of reliability with specific examples from the literature and will not address specific (nano)materials. In particular, inadequate methods will be described together with recommendations how to avoid this in the future, thereby contributing to a sustainable improvement of the available data.

Silver nanoparticle exposure induces rat motor dysfunction through decrease in expression of calcium channel protein in cerebellum

“…It is further confirmed by Cronholm et al (2013), who showed that AgNPs entered into the cells in the form of particles, through intracellular uptake, with low amount of silver ion release. This is in line with earlier findings that particles with poor solubility can be stable for a long time inside the cell and exert toxicity through reactions on the particle itself (Krug and Wick, 2011). Herein, it could be speculated that AgNPs per se contributed to the toxicity.…”

Assessing nanoparticle toxicity in cell-based assays: influence of cell culture parameters and optimized models for bridging the in vitro–in vivo gap

“…Which was pointed out in a review by Johnston et Subsequently attention should go to standardisation of nanotoxicity methods in terms of incubation conditions like NP concentration and incubation time as overexposure conditions should be avoided 113 . The importance of avoiding overexposure conditions becomes clear when evaluating genotoxicity for example, as acute toxicity at overexposure levels can mistakenly be interpreted for genotoxicity since apoptosis itself induces DNA fragmentation 114,115 . This implies the need to screen for genotoxicity at sublethal levels.…”

“…This issue is very complex since total exposure includes intentional and unintentional exposure for consumers as well as for workers at the production site via different exposure routes with the respiratory system, the GI tract and the skin being the main portals of entry 11,74,115 . Additionally exposure may occur during every stage of the NP's lifecycle, being the development, manufacturing, use and disposal of the NP 123 .…”

Potential scenarios for nanomaterial release and subsequent alteration in the environment

“…Pristine ENM having a wide range of surface coatings have been evaluated for toxicity and stability [9,10]. In most cases, P-ENM are industrially modified to form the PM-ENM that are embedded in final products.…”