Environment, Health & Safety – TechConnect Briefs

Nanoparticle Release from Polymer Nanocomposites Used for Potable Water Infrastructure and Food Packaging: Current Progress & Beyond

Whelton A.J., Duncan T.V., Koontz J.L., Nguyen T., University of South Alabama, US

Engineered nanoparticles (ENP) are increasingly being integrated into polymeric infrastructure and food packaging materials worldwide. ENPs can improve product strength, extend infrastructure service life, and increase a polymer’s antimicrobial resistance and oxygen barrier properties. While [...]

In vivo nanotoxicity assessment: the role of size, surface coating, nanostructuration and dose-metrics

Vecchio G., Galeone A., Brunetti V., Maiorano G., Malvindi M.A., Sabella S., Cingolani R., Pompa P.P., Italian Institute of Technology, IT

The growing use of nanomaterials in commercial goods and as novel carriers for drug delivery is generating increasing questions about possible risks for human health and environment, due to the lack of an in-depth assessment [...]

Effect of Carbon Nanotubes on Chinese Hamster Ovarian Cells

Chen H.H., Chen M., Luca J.A., Chen H.H., Chen M., Point Loma Nazarene University, US

We report the effect of carbon nanotubes at the cellular level using purified single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) resuspended in physiological compatible phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and systematically study its impact on Chinese Hamster Ovarian (CHO) [...]

Cell Culture Media elicit a different dynamic Formation of Protein-NP Complexes: Effects on the Cellular Response

Sabella S., Maiorano G., Sorce B., Brunetti V., Malvindi M.A., Cingolani R., Pompa P.P., Italian Institute of Technology, IT

We show that the dynamics of proteins-NP interactions are differently mediated by different cellular media, which are the liquid environments where NPs encounter cells. We used, as a model, spherical NPs (citrate-capped gold nanoparticles, AuNPs) [...]

The Development of a Portable Arsenic Detector Based on Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Rapid on-Site Testing of Groundwater

Wang K.Q., Wang Y., Pan G., Wang K.Q., Wang Y., Agiltron, Inc., US

The combination of high toxicity and widespread occurrence has created a pressing need for effective monitoring of arsenic in groundwater. Although laboratory analysis has been used to measure arsenic in collected groundwater samples, the time [...]

A novel technique for toxicological characterization of engineered nanomaterials

Demokritou P., Sotiriou G.A., Diaz E., Godleski J., Brain J., Pratsinis S.E., Harvard University, US

How do we balance the potential hazards from new and inadequately characterized engineered nanomaterials with the potential and power of nanotechnology? It has become apparent, that potential environmental health effects are critical factors in the [...]

California’s Approach for safe Nanotechnologies: Second Information Call-in from Manufacturers

Kang H.Y., Takatori S., Cal/EPA, US

The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) initiated the second chemical information call-in on nanometal oxides (titanium dioxide, cerium oxide, and zinc oxide), nanometals (silver and zero valent iron), and quantum [...]

Differential Cytotoxic Effects of Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles on Peripheral Nervous System Neural Cells

Lu S., Jaiswal A.R., Wong Y.Y.W., Bhushan A., Leung S.W., Daniels C.K., Lai J.C.K., Idaho State University College of Pharmacy, US

The health impact of exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles is poorly documented although exposure to the particles is known to elicit inflammatory responses in lung tissue. We recently found treatment with TiO2 micro- or nanoparticles induce [...]

Assessment of comparative toxicity of nano- and microparticles of magnetite

Katsnelson B.A., Privalova L.I., Degtyareva T.D., Kuzmin S.V., Sutunkova M.P., Minigalieva I.A., Kireyeva E.P., Khodos M.Y., Shur V.Y., Nikolaeva E.V., Valamina I.E., Tulakina L.G., Pichugova S.V., Beykin J.B., Federal State Institution of Sciences Medical Research, RU

Assessment of toxicity of 10 nm, 50 nm and 1 um Fe3O4 particles based on shift in the cell population of the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid after their intratracheal instillation into lungs of rats and on [...]

Effects of Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles on Peripheral Nervous System Neural Cell Models

Jaiswal A.R., Lu S., Pfau J., Wong Y.Y.W., Bhushan A., Leung S.W., Daniels C.K., Lai J.C.K., Idaho State University, US

Cell model systems in vitro facilitate the high through-put screening of putative toxicity of a variety of nanomaterials, including nanoparticles. However, most of such cell models consisted of non-neural cells. We have developed several central [...]

Molecular Effects of Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles on Cell Survival Signaling of Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) Neurons and Schwann Cells

Jain A., Jaiswal A.R., Lu S., Wong Y.Y.W., Bhushan A., Leung S.W., Daniels C.K., Lai J.C.K., Idaho State University, US

The molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of peripheral neuropathies have not been fully elucidated. To meet the need for suitable cell culture models in vitro of peripheral nervous system (PNS) neural cells that allow long-term [...]

Monitoring volatiles and flammable gases without electronics

Martinez-Hurtado J.L., University of Cambridge, UK

A sensor that integrates the detection and transduction of the signal to a display is presented in this work. The device comprises a holographic grating embed in a polymer. The polymer is an elastomer that [...]

A proposal of AC corrosion mechanism in cathodic protection

Brenna A., Diamanti M.V., Lazzari L., Ormellese M., Politecnico di Milano, IT

The research proposes an electrochemical mechanism of AC-corrosion in CP condition. Electrochemical tests were carried out on carbon steel in simulated soil conditions to identify AC corrosion risk related parameters during cathodic polarization, like AC [...]

Nanosilver – Why It is Still So Hot?

Lem K.W., Haw J.R., Lee D.S., Iqbal Z., Salama A., Kurmaran S., Sund S., Curran S., Brumlik C., Choudhury A., Konkuk University, KR

At the present, we are focused on Korean consumer products because in our recent IP landscaping study, we have found that for all major patenting countries, Korea leads in nanosilver applications, with more than 1500 [...]

Managing Your Environmental, Health & Safety Risk: A Guide for Nano Companies and their Insurers

Sarahan P.C., Bushong H., Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., US

Nanotechnology companies are facing increasing scrutiny as federal and state agencies adopt regulations and propose recommended workplace practices and exposure standards. In addition, more studies are being released that indicate that some nanomaterials present the [...]

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