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Toxicity of pristine and paint-embedded TiO2 nanomaterials
A T Saber1, A Mortensen1, J Szarek2
11 The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Human & Experimental Toxicology
|May 17, 2018
Summary
Sanding paint containing titanium dioxide nanomaterials (TiO2NMs) generates dust that causes lung inflammation and liver damage in mice. The toxicity of TiO2NM dusts is comparable to that of the original TiO2NMs.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Nanotoxicology
- Occupational Safety
Background:
- Nanomaterials in paints pose potential risks during the user phase, particularly during sanding.
- Limited data exists on the toxicity of sanding dusts containing nanomaterials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the toxicity of sanding dusts from paints containing titanium dioxide nanomaterials (TiO2NMs).
- To compare the toxicity of TiO2NMs with dusts generated from sanding TiO2NM-containing paints.
Main Methods:
- Mice were intratracheally instilled with TiO2NMs or sanding dusts at various doses.
- Pulmonary inflammation, liver histology, and DNA damage were assessed at 1, 3, and 28 days post-instillation.
Main Results:
- Both TiO2NMs and sanding dusts induced dose-dependent neutrophil influx in the lungs.
- Mild liver lesions were observed in all exposure groups, similar for both pristine TiO2NMs and sanding dusts.
- No significant difference in toxicity was found between dusts from paints with different TiO2NM types or concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Sanding paints containing TiO2NMs generates dust with comparable toxicity to the nanomaterials themselves.
- Exposure to TiO2NM-containing paint dust can lead to pulmonary inflammation and liver effects.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the risks associated with nanomaterial-containing products during their lifecycle.
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