Grantee Research Project Results
Chemical Fate, Biopersistance, and Toxicology of Inhaled Carbonaceous Nanoscale Materials
EPA Grant Number: R832527Title: Chemical Fate, Biopersistance, and Toxicology of Inhaled Carbonaceous Nanoscale Materials
Investigators: McDonald, Jacob D. , Seagrave, Jean Clare , Dix, Kelly J. , VanderWal, Randall L. , Gigliotti, Andrew
Current Investigators: McDonald, Jacob D. , Seagrave, Jean Clare , VanderWal, Randall L. , Gigliotti, Andrew
Institution: Lovelace Biomedical & Environmental Research Institute , NASA-Glenn
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: December 1, 2005 through November 30, 2008
Project Amount: $350,000
RFA: Exploratory Research: Nanotechnology Research Grants Investigating Environmental and Human Health Effects of Manufactured Nanomaterials: A Joint Research Solicitation - EPA, NSF, NIOSH (2005) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Safer Chemicals , Nanotechnology
Objective:
Observations of significant respiratory toxicity of carbon nanotubes compared to historical positive controls administered by instillation into rodent lungs has raised many questions regarding the biocompatibility of these materials that have significant potential in nanotechnology. There is an immediate need to confirm and extend those observations using methods that better mimic actual exposure conditions that have been measured or predicted for occupational or environmental exposures. This proposed research will directly compare the biological disposition, persistence, and toxicity of two commercial nanoscale carbonaceous nanomaterials of potential wide utilization to a control material of known toxicity. Concentration matched (by mass) inhalation exposures of carbon nanotubes and fullerenes will be compared to inhaled crystalline silica. To compare with previous studies, inhalation results will be compared directly to instilled materials suspended in aqueous media.
The proposed studies will test several hypotheses: 1) The toxicity of inhaled carbon nanotubes and fullerenes, due to their relative non-reactive surface chemistry, is low relative to crystalline silica when administered by inhalation; 2) The preferential carbon nanotube toxicity observed (in prior studies) by instillation is an artifact of dose and dose administration technique; 3) fullerenes and carbon nanotubes are not completely eliminated from the nasal or lung regions after 17 weeks.
Approach:
Hypotheses 1 and 2: C57bl/6N mice will be exposed for 30 consecutive days (6 hr/day) to fullerene or carbon nanotube inhalation atmospheres suited to match plausible human exposure scenarios for particle size and concentrations. Lung lavage white blood cell count/differentials, cytokines, protein and histopathology will be determined after 30 days or after a 17 week hold. In parallel, matched cumulative doses will be administered as a single bolus by tracheal instillation and animals will be sacrificed 30 days or 30 days plus 17 weeks later for the same analysis as inhalation. In both cases, crystalline silica will be used as a positive control. The time points proposed are based on pilot data from our laboratory showing the formation of significant silica induced granulomas at 17 weeks. The characterization of disposition will be conducted at the same timepoints mentioned above. Fullerenes will be measured in tissues by a validated LC/MS/MS assay that has been developed in our laboratory. Carbon nanotubes in tissues will be determined by a method we are currently developing that involves thermal analysis after tissue digestion.
Expected Results:
We expect to improve the current understanding of the toxicity associated with inhalation of carbon nanomaterials compared with instillation of the same material. This will allow better understanding both of those materials and the utility of instillation for evaluating hazards of these types of materials. We expect improved biocompatibility when administered by inhalation (but not instillation). We will show, for the first time, the disposition and persistance of inhaled carbonaceous nanomaterials.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 2 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 1 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
nanoparticles, inhalation, pulmonary toxicity, biological disposition, particle size, particle surface area, health effects,, Health, Scientific Discipline, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Health Risk Assessment, Risk Assessments, Biochemistry, Biology, Risk Assessment, fate and transport, toxicology, animal model, inhalation toxicology, metal oxide nanoscale materials, bioaccumulation, biochemical research, exposure assessmentProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.