Toxics

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3 pages, 200 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Hazard, Distribution and Exposure of Particulate Pollution from Indoor and Outdoor Environments

by Maurizio Gualtieri, Marie Carriere and Paride Mantecca

Toxics 2023, 11(9), 772; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11090772 - 12 Sep 2023

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Abstract

Air is an essential natural resource for life [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano and Ultrafine Particle Toxicology and Exposure Assessment)

Research

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13 pages, 2237 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Toxicological Profile of PM from Different Sources in the Bronchial Epithelial Cell Line BEAS-2B

by Gloria Melzi, Emma Nozza, Maria Agostina Frezzini, Silvia Canepari, Roberta Vecchi, Llorenç Cremonesi, Marco Potenza, Marina Marinovich and Emanuela Corsini

Toxics 2023, 11(5), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11050413 - 26 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2104

Abstract

The toxicity of particulate matter (PM) is strictly associated with its physical-chemical characteristics, such as size or chemical composition. While these properties depend on the origin of the particles, the study of the toxicological profile of PM from single sources has rarely been [...] Read more.

The toxicity of particulate matter (PM) is strictly associated with its physical-chemical characteristics, such as size or chemical composition. While these properties depend on the origin of the particles, the study of the toxicological profile of PM from single sources has rarely been highlighted. Hence, the focus of this research was to investigate the biological effects of PM from five relevant sources of atmospheric PM: diesel exhaust particles, coke dust, pellet ashes, incinerator ashes, and brake dust. Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, oxidative, and inflammatory response were assessed in a bronchial cell line (BEAS-2B). BEAS-2B cells were exposed to different concentrations (25, 50, 100, and 150 μg/mL medium) of particles suspended in water. The exposure lasted 24 h for all the assays performed, except for reactive oxygen species, which were evaluated after 30 min, 1 h, and 4 h of treatment. The results showed a different action of the five types of PM. All the tested samples showed a genotoxic action on BEAS-2B, even in the absence of oxidative stress induction. Pellet ashes seemed to be the only ones able to induce oxidative stress by boosting the formation of reactive oxygen species, while brake dust resulted in the most cytotoxic. In conclusion, the study elucidated the differential response of bronchial cells to PM samples generated by different sources. The comparison could be a starting point for a regulatory intervention since it highlighted the toxic potential of each type of PM tested. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano and Ultrafine Particle Toxicology and Exposure Assessment)

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22 pages, 2895 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Physicochemical Transformations of Silver Nanoparticles in the Oro-Gastrointestinal Tract Mildly Affect Their Toxicity to Intestinal Cells In Vitro: An AOP-Oriented Testing Approach

by Ozge Kose, David Béal, Sylvie Motellier, Nathalie Pelissier, Véronique Collin-Faure, Magda Blosi, Rossella Bengalli, Anna Costa, Irini Furxhi, Paride Mantecca and Marie Carriere

Toxics 2023, 11(3), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11030199 - 21 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2216

Abstract

The widespread use of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in food and consumer products suggests the relevance of human oral exposure to these nanomaterials (NMs) and raises the possibility of adverse effects in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to investigate [...] Read more.

The widespread use of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in food and consumer products suggests the relevance of human oral exposure to these nanomaterials (NMs) and raises the possibility of adverse effects in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to investigate the toxicity of Ag NPs in a human intestinal cell line, either uncoated or coated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (Ag PVP) or hydroxyethylcellulose (Ag HEC) and digested in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. Physicochemical transformations of Ag NPs during the different stages of in vitro digestion were identified prior to toxicity assessment. The strategy for evaluating toxicity was constructed on the basis of adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) showing Ag NPs as stressors. It consisted of assessing Ag NP cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, perturbation of the cell cycle and apoptosis. Ag NPs caused a concentration-dependent loss of cell viability and increased the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species as well as DNA damage and perturbation of the cell cycle. In vitro digestion of Ag NPs did not significantly modulate their toxicological impact, except for their genotoxicity. Taken together, these results indicate the potential toxicity of ingested Ag NPs, which varied depending on their coating but did not differ from that of non-digested NPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano and Ultrafine Particle Toxicology and Exposure Assessment)

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22 pages, 6791 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Preliminary Toxicological Analysis in a Safe-by-Design and Adverse Outcome Pathway-Driven Approach on Different Silver Nanoparticles: Assessment of Acute Responses in A549 Cells

by Giulia Motta, Maurizio Gualtieri, Melissa Saibene, Rossella Bengalli, Andrea Brigliadori, Marie Carrière and Paride Mantecca

Toxics 2023, 11(2), 195; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11020195 - 20 Feb 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2739

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are among the most widely used metal-based nanomaterials (NMs) and their applications in different products, also as antibacterial additives, are increasing. In the present manuscript, according to an adverse outcome pathway (AOP) approach, we tested two safe-by-design (SbD) newly [...] Read more.

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are among the most widely used metal-based nanomaterials (NMs) and their applications in different products, also as antibacterial additives, are increasing. In the present manuscript, according to an adverse outcome pathway (AOP) approach, we tested two safe-by-design (SbD) newly developed Ag NPs coated with hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), namely AgHEC powder and AgHEC solution. These novel Ag NPs were compared to two reference Ag NPs (naked and coated with polyvinylpyrrolidone—PVP). Cell viability, inflammatory response, reactive oxygen species, oxidative DNA damage, cell cycle, and cell–particle interactions were analyzed in the alveolar in vitro model, A549 cells. The results show a different toxicity pattern of the novel Ag NPs compared to reference NPs and that between the two novel NPs, the AgHEC solution is the one with the lower toxicity and to be further developed within the SbD framework. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano and Ultrafine Particle Toxicology and Exposure Assessment)

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13 pages, 3096 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ambient Benzo[a]pyrene’s Effect on Kinetic Modulation of Amyloid Beta Peptide Aggregation: A Tentative Association between Ultrafine Particulate Matter and Alzheimer’s Disease

by Samal Kaumbekova, Mehdi Amouei Torkmahalleh and Dhawal Shah

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 786; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120786 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1776

Abstract

Long-time exposure to ambient ultrafine particles is associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is triggered by the aggregation of Aβ peptide monomers into toxic oligomers. Among different ultrafine air pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are [...] Read more.

Long-time exposure to ambient ultrafine particles is associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is triggered by the aggregation of Aβ peptide monomers into toxic oligomers. Among different ultrafine air pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known to have a negative neural impact; however, the impact mechanism remains obscure. We herein examined the effect of Benzo[a]Pyrene (B[a]P), one of the typical PAHs on Aβ₄₂ oligomerization using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. In particular, the simulations were performed using four molecules of Aβ₄₂ in the presence of 5.00 mM, 12.5 mM, and 50.0 mM of B[a]P. The results revealed strong hydrophobic interactions between Aβ₄₂ peptides and B[a]P, which in turn resulted in increased interpeptide electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, 5.00 mM of B[a]P accelerated the kinetics of the formation of peptide tetramer by 30%, and stabilized C-terminus in Aβ₄₂ peptides, suggesting consequent progression of AD in the presence of 5.00 mM B[a]P. In contrast, 12.5 mM and 50.0 mM of B[a]P decreased interpeptide interactions and H-bonding due to the aggregation of numerous B[a]P clusters with the peptides, suppressing oligomerization kinetics of Aβ₄₂ peptides by 13% and 167%, respectively. While the study elucidates the effect of small environmental hydrophobic molecules on the formation of Aβ oligomers, the impact of ambient ultrafine particles on AD in the complex composition of the environmental realm requires further systematic delving into the field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano and Ultrafine Particle Toxicology and Exposure Assessment)

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18 pages, 2414 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

On the In Vitro and In Vivo Hazard Assessment of a Novel Nanomaterial to Reduce the Use of Zinc Oxide in the Rubber Vulcanization Process

by Cinzia Bragato, Silvia Mostoni, Christian D’Abramo, Maurizio Gualtieri, Francesca Rita Pomilla, Roberto Scotti and Paride Mantecca

Toxics 2022, 10(12), 781; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120781 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3106

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is the most efficient curing activator employed in the industrial rubber production. However, ZnO and Zn(II) ions are largely recognized as an environmental hazard being toxic to aquatic organisms, especially considering Zn(II) release during tire lifecycle. In this context, aiming [...] Read more.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is the most efficient curing activator employed in the industrial rubber production. However, ZnO and Zn(II) ions are largely recognized as an environmental hazard being toxic to aquatic organisms, especially considering Zn(II) release during tire lifecycle. In this context, aiming at reducing the amount of microcrystalline ZnO, a novel activator was recently synthetized, constituted by ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) anchored to silica NPs (ZnO-NP@SiO₂-NP). The objective of this work is to define the possible hazards deriving from the use of ZnO-NP@SiO₂-NP compared to ZnO and SiO₂ NPs traditionally used in the tire industry. The safety of the novel activators was assessed by in vitro testing, using human lung epithelial (A549) and immune (THP-1) cells, and by the in vivo model zebrafish (Danio rerio). The novel manufactured nanomaterial was characterized morphologically and structurally, and its effects evaluated in vitro by the measurement of the cell viability and the release of inflammatory mediators, while in vivo by the Fish Embryo Acute Toxicity (FET) test. Resulting data demonstrated that ZnO-NP@SiO₂-NP, despite presenting some subtoxic events, exhibits the lack of acute effects both in vitro and in vivo, supporting the safe-by-design development of this novel material for the rubber industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano and Ultrafine Particle Toxicology and Exposure Assessment)

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21 pages, 2284 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Emission Factors of CO₂ and Airborne Pollutants and Toxicological Potency of Biofuels for Airplane Transport: A Preliminary Assessment

by Maurizio Gualtieri, Massimo Berico, Maria Giuseppa Grollino, Giuseppe Cremona, Teresa La Torretta, Antonella Malaguti, Ettore Petralia, Milena Stracquadanio, Massimo Santoro, Barbara Benassi, Antonio Piersanti, Andrea Chiappa, Manuele Bernabei and Gabriele Zanini

Toxics 2022, 10(10), 617; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10100617 - 18 Oct 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2908

Abstract

Aviation is one of the sectors affecting climate change, and concerns have been raised over the increase in the number of flights all over the world. To reduce the climate impact, efforts have been dedicated to introducing biofuel blends as alternatives to fossil [...] Read more.

Aviation is one of the sectors affecting climate change, and concerns have been raised over the increase in the number of flights all over the world. To reduce the climate impact, efforts have been dedicated to introducing biofuel blends as alternatives to fossil fuels. Here, we report environmentally relevant data on the emission factors of biofuel/fossil fuel blends (from 13 to 17% v/v). Moreover, in vitro direct exposure of human bronchial epithelial cells to the emissions was studied to determine their potential intrinsic hazard and to outline relevant lung doses. The results show that the tested biofuel blends do not reduce the emissions of particles and other chemical species compared to the fossil fuel. The blends do reduce the elemental carbon (less than 40%) and total volatile organic compounds (less than 30%) compared to fossil fuel emissions. The toxicological outcomes show an increase in oxidative cellular response after only 40 min of exposure, with biofuels causing a lower response compared to fossil fuels, and lung-deposited doses show differences among the fuels tested. The data reported provide evidence of the possibility to reduce the climate impact of the aviation sector and contribute to the risk assessment of biofuels for aviation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano and Ultrafine Particle Toxicology and Exposure Assessment)

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14 pages, 2045 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Measuring TiO₂N and AgHEC Airborne Particle Density during a Spray Coating Process

by Sara Trabucco, Antti Joonas Koivisto, Fabrizio Ravegnani, Simona Ortelli, Ilaria Zanoni, Magda Blosi, Anna Luisa Costa and Franco Belosi

Toxics 2022, 10(9), 498; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10090498 - 27 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1933

Abstract

Effective particle density is a key parameter for assessing inhalation exposure of engineered NPs in occupational environments. In this paper, particle density measurements were carried out using two different techniques: one based on the ratio between mass and volumetric particle concentrations; the other [...] Read more.

Effective particle density is a key parameter for assessing inhalation exposure of engineered NPs in occupational environments. In this paper, particle density measurements were carried out using two different techniques: one based on the ratio between mass and volumetric particle concentrations; the other one based on the ratio between aerodynamic and geometric particle diameter. These different approaches were applied to both field- and laboratory-scale atomization processes where the two target NPs (N-doped TiO₂, TiO₂N and AgNPs capped with a quaternized hydroxyethylcellulose, AgHEC) were generated. Spray tests using TiO₂N were observed to release more and bigger particles than tests with AgHEC, as indicated by the measured particle mass concentrations and volumes. Our findings give an effective density of TiO₂N particle to be in a similar range between field and laboratory measurements (1.8 ± 0.5 g/cm³); while AgHEC particle density showed wide variations (3.0 ± 0.5 g/cm³ and 1.2 + 0.1 g/cm³ for field and laboratory campaigns, respectively). This finding leads to speculation regarding the composition of particles emitted because atomized particle fragments may contain different Ag-to-HEC ratios, leading to different density values. A further uncertainty factor is probably related to low process emissions, making the subtraction of background concentrations from AgHEC process emissions unreliable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano and Ultrafine Particle Toxicology and Exposure Assessment)

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19 pages, 3330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of In Vitro Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, Apoptotic, and Cell Cycle Arrest Potential of Iron–Nickel Alloy Nanoparticles

by Özgür Vatan

Toxics 2022, 10(9), 492; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10090492 - 24 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2107

Abstract

The use of iron-nickel alloy nanoparticles (Fe-Ni ANPs) is increasing daily in various fields. People are increasingly exposed to these nanoparticles for occupational and environmental reasons. Our study determined some of the effects of Fe-Ni ANP exposure and impacts on human health at [...] Read more.

The use of iron-nickel alloy nanoparticles (Fe-Ni ANPs) is increasing daily in various fields. People are increasingly exposed to these nanoparticles for occupational and environmental reasons. Our study determined some of the effects of Fe-Ni ANP exposure and impacts on human health at the cellular level. The cytotoxic and genotoxic potentials of Fe-Ni ANPs were investigated by XTT, clonogenic, comet, and GammaH2AX analyses using Beas-2B cells. Annexin V, multicaspase, and cell cycle arrest methods were used to understand the apoptotic mechanism of action. The intracellular ROS method was used to determine the primary mechanism that leads to cytotoxic and genotoxic activity. The Fe-Ni ANPs showed cytotoxic activity with the XTT and clonogenic methods: they had genotoxic potential, as demonstrated via genotoxicity methods. It was determined that the cytotoxic effect was realized by the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway, and the cells were stopped at the G0/G1 stage by Fe-Ni ANPs. Increased intracellular ROS due to Fe-Ni ANPs led to cytotoxic, genotoxic, and apoptotic activity. Potential risks to human health due to Fe-Ni ANPs were then demonstrated at the cellular level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nano and Ultrafine Particle Toxicology and Exposure Assessment)

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