Grantee Research Project Results
2005 Progress Report: Impacts of Manufactured Nanomaterials on Human Health and the Environment - A Focus on Nanoparticulate Aerosol and Atmospherically Processed Nanoparticulate Aerosol
EPA Grant Number: R831717Title: Impacts of Manufactured Nanomaterials on Human Health and the Environment - A Focus on Nanoparticulate Aerosol and Atmospherically Processed Nanoparticulate Aerosol
Investigators: Grassian, Vicki H. , Thorne, Peter S. , O'Shaughnessy, Patrick
Institution: University of Iowa
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2007
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005
Project Amount: $335,000
RFA: Exploratory Research to Anticipate Future Environmental Issues: Impacts of Manufactured Nanomaterials on Human Health and the Environment (2003) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Nanotechnology , Human Health , Safer Chemicals
Objective:
In this research project, the potential effects of manufactured nanomaterial aerosol on human health will be investigated and compared to ultrafine carbonaceous particles typically found in the environment from combustion processes. The specific objectives of this research project are to: (1) fully characterize a variety of manufactured nanomaterials in terms of their size, shape, bulk, and surface properties; (2) determine if engineered nanomaterials are particularly deleterious to health compared to particles from combustion processes that have been more extensively studied; and (3) evaluate the relative health effects caused by different surface coatings on the nanoparticle.
Manufactured nanomaterials are purchased from several sources and further characterized using a wide variety of techniques and analysis methods including surface spectroscopy so that both bulk and surface properties can be understood on a molecular level. These well-characterized particles then are used for inhalation and exposure studies. There also is additional characterization once the aerosol has been generated to determine if the particles aggregate or retain the size distribution determined prior to aerosol generation. Toxicology assessments include murine assays to screen for acute and subchronic pulmonary effects.
Progress Summary:
In the past year, the potential effects of manufactured nanoparticles on human health have been investigated. In particular, a series of acute and subchronic exposures of TiO2 nanoparticles with a primary particle size of 5 nm has been completed. Although there have been earlier inhalation studies on TiO2 ultrafine particles, with a particle size of 20 nm and above, there is some evidence that particles with a primary particle size less than 10 nm may behave differently than particles with a primary particle size greater than 10 nm. Besides investigating the smallest commercially available TiO2 nanoparticles to date in inhalation toxicology research, another unique aspect of the research reported here is that a number of analytical methods and techniques were used to fully characterize the bulk and surface properties of the TiO2 nanoparticles. These analytical techniques including powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) surface area measurements, Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR)-Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). These well-characterized particles were used in toxicology inhalation exposure research. The aerosol formed in the inhalation exposure chamber was further characterized by gravimetric measurements, scanning mobility particle sizing, and transmission electron microscopy. This was done so that the total mass concentration of the nanoparticles as well as the aggregation state of the particles in the aerosol could be assessed. So far, we have determined that the nanoparticles we have investigated are relatively non-toxic in the animal models being used.
Future Activities:
Future activities will focus on determining the toxicity of other manufactured nanoparticles including metals and carbon nanotubes. The impact of surface coatings on nanoparticle toxicity also will be explored.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 21 publications | 6 publications in selected types | All 5 journal articles |
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Grassian VH, O'Shaughnessy PT, Adamcakova-Dodd A, Pettibone JM, Thorne PS. Inhalation exposure study of titanium dioxide nanoparticles with a primary particle size of 2 to 5 nm. Environmental Health Perspectives 2007;115(3):397-402. |
R831717 (2005) R831717 (2006) R831717 (2007) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
ambient air, risk assessment, health effects, human health, particulates, environmental chemistry, and industry,, Health, Scientific Discipline, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, Health Risk Assessment, Physical Processes, Risk Assessments, Environmental Chemistry, Biochemistry, cytokines, particle size, human exposure, particulate matter, engineered nanomaterials, exposure, ambient particle health effects, nanotechnology, respiratory impact, inhalation toxicology, human health risk, inhalation study, particle exposure, biochemical researchRelevant Websites:
http://www.chem.uiowa.edu/faculty/grassian/index.html Exit
http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/academics/faculty/patrick_oshaughnessy.html Exit
http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/academics/faculty/peter_thorne.html Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe 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.