Nanoparticles potential health effects

Abstract The aerosol particle number size distribution is a key component in aerosol indirect climate effects, and is also a key factor on potential nanoparticle health effects. This chapter will give background on particle number size distributions, their monitoring and on potential climate and health effects of submicron aerosol particles. The main interest is on the current variability and concentration levels in European background air. 

Alternatively, heavy metals, insecticides, and nanoparticles are clearly released into the environment, represented technical solutions, and had the power to do good for the environment. For our purposes, it is best to focus on nanoparticles because they represent technical solutions to many medical and environmental problems. Moreover, nanomaterials have the potential for progressively expanding use. This chapter is evaluating their potential for adverse health effects. 

The purpose of this chapter is to present an overview of the current state of the literature regarding nanoparticles in the workplace and environment and their associated health effects as well as to provide the latest characterization techniques used to conduct airborne nanoscale particle measurement. In doing so, the advantages and disadvantages to the use of each of these characterization techniques are elucidated, while efforts are made to restrict the discussion to only those potential applications in industries utilizing nanotechnologies in their processes. 

Some nanoparticles may be toxic. Early studies show toxicity varying with various chemical and physical properties. Some nanoparticles can penetrate through the skin or move from the respiratory system to other organs. Research is beginning to understand properties leading to specific health effects. Those involved in protecting workers and other from potential harm from nanomaterials must monitor research results. NIOSH continues to publish guidelines for nanomaterials. 

It should be understood that the types of toxic effects discussed above are limited to situations where nanoparticles ctfe inhcded or placed in the trachea as insoluble particles. The form of nanoparticles in applications are either dissolved in solution (e.g., through injection for medical uses) or inside components (e.g., computers) and are likely not available for exposure in these ways. We expect that the risk of toxic effects is significantly reduced in these types of products. However, incidental inhalation exposure by workers in the industry represents a potential health issue that requires more research. This is well understood by the U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). They recommend limiting exposure to workers until more knowledge is gained, and have identified ten key research topics, including ... 

The nanomaterials thus manufactured in different industries—particularly drugs and pharmaceuticals— might pose risks to human health and other organisms due to their composition, reactivity, and unique size. Nanotechnology research and development, particularly in medical research, work at the micro- and nanoscale levels to develop new drug delivery methods, therapeutics, and pharmaceuticals. In such areas of research it is equally important to consider the potential interactions of nanomaterials with the environment and the associated risks. This involves studying the effects of natural nanoparticles in the air and soil, life cycle aspects of manufactured nanomaterials, and their fate and transport. Risk assessment also includes studies... 

Currently, little is known about the potential effects of manufactured nanoparticles on human health and the environment. 

However, the small particle size also brings issues involving mass transport and excessive pressure drops when applied in a fixed bed or any other flow-through systems, as well as certain difficulties in separation and reuse, and even possible risk to ecosystems and human health caused by the potential release of nanoparticles into the environment. An effective approach to overcoming the technical bottlenecks is to fabricate hybrid nanocomposites... 

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