Author: Ana María Palencia Poblet
Nanoparticles: Sources & Exposures
Ana Palencia, April 26th of 2023
Nanoparticles or Ultrafine particles (UFP) have a size ranging from 1 to 100 nm, or about 1/100.000th the width of a human hair. Would you ever imagine such microscope particles can potentially affect your health?
In this post, the sources from nanoparticles as well as the possible exposures and health effects are going to be discussed and analysed.
Nanoparticles or Ultrafine particles (UFP) are have a size ranging from 1 to 100 nm, or about 1/100.000th the width of a human hair. They are found in a wide variety of materials, including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, and consumer products. Because of their nanoscale size, nanoparticles have unique physical and chemical properties that make them useful in many applications. However, the same properties that make them useful can also make them potentially harmful to human health and the environment.
Sources
Nanoparticles can be generated from both indoor and outdoor sources:
- Indoor Sources
- Cooking: Frying and grilling can release particles from cooking oils and meats.
- Cleaning products: Aerosol sprays, cleaning agents, and disinfectants can all emit nanoparticles.
- Heating and air conditioning: HVAC systems can circulate dust, mold spores, and other small particles.
- Smoking: Cigarette smoke contains a range of ultrafine particles.
- Outdoor Sources
- Traffic: Vehicle exhaust releases a significant number of nanoparticles into the air.
- Industry: Manufacturing processes and power generation can generate nanoparticles.
- Natural sources: Volcanic eruptions, forest fires, and dust storms can also release nanoparticles into the atmosphere.
Outdoor air, hence, contains a variety of nanoparticles, that can also enter indoor environments through open windows, doors, and ventilation intakes which aggravates the presence of nanoparticles indoors, as shown in the Figure 1 (a comparison between indoor concentrations active and outdoor infiltration). The size and concentration of these outdoor nanoparticles can be modified depending on a variety of factors, including proximity to traffic, industrial sources, and wildfires, as mentioned before. In a study conducted by Lance Wallace, [1], a comparison between size-resolved particle number concentrations for six different indoor emission sources (shown in Figure 2), where the nanoparticles are predominant in their emissions. Indeed, in both figures it’s clear that the main source of nanoparticles is indoors, and their emissions are higher than expected, hence, their high concentrations are worth a deeper study, [2].
Despite so, a study conducted by Lance Wallace proves that the emissions of indoor sources are more active that outdoors’s [1], evidencing the interest of studying indoor emissions with more depth. Besides, Wallace also stated that most of the people spend big part of their time indoors, hence concentrations of ultrafine particles are of interest (for health effects don’t depend on size particle but on concentration of that component).
Exposures
It’s important to note that exposure to nanoparticles can have potential health effects, so it’s important to take steps to minimize exposure, such as improving ventilation, using air purifiers, and wearing protective masks when necessary.
Exposures to Nanoparticles
Exposure to nanoparticles can occur through a variety of routes, including inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. Inhalation is the most typical exposure route, and it can happen in environments where nanoparticles are discharged into the air or in workplaces where they are manufactured or used. For instance, during the production or usage of goods like apparel or electronics that contain nanosilver, nanoparticles may be discharged into the air.
Consuming food or water that has been polluted with nanoparticles or ingesting goods like supplements that contain nanosilver can result in nanoparticle ingestion. Nanoparticles can come into contact with the skin when goods like bandages made of nanosilver are used or when cosmetics or sunscreens with nanoparticles are applied.
Potential Health Effects of Nanoparticles
The risk posed by ultrafine particles is significantly greater than that posed by bigger particles, such as those covered by existing air pollution rules, according to Wallace. This is due to the fact that their tiny size enables them to enter the lungs and other organs deeply, where they may cause inflammation and other medical issues.
Having said that, the possible health impacts of nanoparticles rely on a number of variables, including the route and length of exposure, the size, shape, and chemical makeup of the particles. While certain nanoparticles are comparatively safe and pose little risk to human health, some nanoparticles have been demonstrated to cause serious harm in experiments on animals.
The capacity of nanoparticles to deeply permeate the lungs and other organs is one of the most worryingpossible health impacts of nanoparticles. Studies showed that lung inflammation and oxidative stress caused by nanoparticles might result in respiratory conditions including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), [3]. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that nanoparticles may pass the blood-brain barrier and build up in the brain, where they can cause neurological damage.
Some other potential health effects of nanoparticles are genotoxicity [4], which leads to damage to DNA, immunotoxicity – the damage to the immune system-, and reproductive toxicity. In animal studies, exposure to certain nanoparticles has also been shown to cause cancer and reproductive problems such as reduced fertility and birth defects.
Protecting Against Nanoparticle Exposure
Since nanoparticles are pervasive in the environment and many goods, protection against nanoparticle exposure can be difficult given the wide range of health problems that nanoparticle emission can cause. To minimize exposure and associated health hazards, people and organizations can take certain measures.
Employing engineering controls and personal protective equipment is crucial in occupational contexts to reduce nanoparticle exposure. This can include respiratory protection for employees who may be exposed to high amounts of nanoparticles, as well as ventilation devices that trap nanoparticles before they are discharged into the air.
Additionally, to reduce the presence of nanoparticles in indoor environments, it is important to implement effective ventilation strategies and to minimize sources of indoor pollution. This can include installing high-efficiency air filters, regularly cleaning and maintaining ventilation systems, and using low-emission building materials and consumer products.
In conclusion, nanoparticles can have negative effects on human health, particularly when they are present in high concentrations indoors, as many studies have proven. Overall, it is important to be aware of their potential health risks and to take steps to reduce exposure to them. By employing the strategies outlined above, it is possible to reduce the concentration of nanoparticles indoors and promote a healthier living environment.
Exhibit
