Oxidative DNA Damage from Nanoparticle Exposure and Its Application to Workers' Health: A Literature Review

Abstract

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in industry is increasing, bringing with it a number of adverse health effects on workers. Like other chemical carcinogens, NPs can cause cancer via oxidative DNA damage. Of all the molecules vulnerable to oxidative modification by NPs, DNA has received the greatest attention, and biomarkers of exposure and effect are nearing validation. This review concentrates on studies published between 2000 and 2012 that attempted to detect oxidative DNA damage in humans, laboratory animals, and cell lines. It is important to review these studies to improve the current understanding of the oxidative DNA damage caused by NP exposure in the workplace. In addition to examining studies on oxidative damage, this review briefly describes NPs, giving some examples of their adverse effects, and reviews occupational exposure assessments and approaches to minimizing exposure (e.g., personal protective equipment and engineering controls such as fume hoods). Current recommendations to minimize exposure are largely based on common sense, analogy to ultrafine material toxicity, and general health and safety recommendations.

Comparative Study of Genotoxicity of Silver and Gold Nanoparticles Prepared by the Electric Spark Dispersion Method

“…It is presumably the main factor of low nanoparticles genotoxicity. Similar mechanisms were found in both macroorganism and in cell cultures (Rim et al, 2013). Big particles exhibited less DNA damage compared to the small ones.…”

Safety Aspects of Nanotechnology Applications in Food Packaging

“…Toxicity of nanoparticles depends on their properties and rout of entrance in the body, concentration and duration of exposure to nanoparticles, but also on individual susceptibility and state of organism 4,16,17 . Results when oral route of transmission was studied showed that signs of toxicity were noted only with relatively high doses of nano-silver or nano-TiO2 applied 4 .…”

An in vitro study on the induction of micronuclei and other nuclear anomalies in peripheral blood lymphocyte culture by metal oxide nanoparticles

“…Some of the existing information on genotoxic potential of nanoparticles is highly contradictory and inconclusive. For instance, exposure to nano silica showed negative genotoxicity by using alkaline comet assay whereas by micronucleus assay it showed positive genotoxicity (Rim et al, 2013). The most widely studied metal oxide nanoparticles are SiO 2 and TiO 2 as its occupational and industrial exposure is comparatively high, but still the establishment of a standard procedure for testing nano genotoxicity remains scanty.…”