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Kapiamba KF, Owusu SY, Wu Y, Huang YW, Jiang Y, Wang Y. Examining the Oxidation States of Metals in Aerosols Emitted by Electronic Cigarettes. Chem Res Toxicol 2024; 37:1113-1120. [PMID: 38957009 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.4c00033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Electronic cigarettes (ECs) emit many toxic substances, including metals, that can pose a threat to users and the environment. The toxicity of the emitted metals depends on their oxidation states. Hence, this study examines the oxidation states of metals observed in EC aerosols. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of the filters that collected EC aerosols identified the oxidation states of five primary metals (based on surface sample analysis), including chromium(III) (close to 100%) under low power setting while a noticeable amount of chromium(VI) (15%) at higher power settings of the EC, and copper(II) (100%), zinc(II) (100%), nickel(II) (100%), lead(II) (65%), and lead(IV) (35%) regardless of power settings. This observation indicates that the increased temperature due to higher power settings could alter the oxidation states of certain metals. We noted that many metals were in their lesser toxic states; however, inhaling these metals may still pose health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kashala Fabrice Kapiamba
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33146, United States
| | - Stephen Yaw Owusu
- Department of Chemistry, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri 65409, United States
| | - Yangtao Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon TU428, Hong Kong
| | - Yue-Wern Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri 65409, United States
| | - Yi Jiang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon TU428, Hong Kong
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33146, United States
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Thoma T, Ma-Hock L, Schneider S, Honarvar N, Treumann S, Groeters S, Strauss V, Marxfeld H, Funk-Weyer D, Seiffert S, Wohlleben W, Dammann M, Wiench K, Lombaert N, Spirlet C, Vasquez M, Dewhurst N, Landsiedel R. Toxicological inhalation studies in rats to substantiate grouping of zinc oxide nanoforms. Part Fibre Toxicol 2024; 21:24. [PMID: 38760761 PMCID: PMC11100124 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-024-00572-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Significant variations exist in the forms of ZnO, making it impossible to test all forms in in vivo inhalation studies. Hence, grouping and read-across is a common approach under REACH to evaluate the toxicological profile of familiar substances. The objective of this paper is to investigate the potential role of dissolution, size, or coating in grouping ZnO (nano)forms for the purpose of hazard assessment. We performed a 90-day inhalation study (OECD test guideline no. (TG) 413) in rats combined with a reproduction/developmental (neuro)toxicity screening test (TG 421/424/426) with coated and uncoated ZnO nanoforms in comparison with microscale ZnO particles and soluble zinc sulfate. In addition, genotoxicity in the nasal cavity, lungs, liver, and bone marrow was examined via comet assay (TG 489) after 14-day inhalation exposure. RESULTS ZnO nanoparticles caused local toxicity in the respiratory tract. Systemic effects that were not related to the local irritation were not observed. There was no indication of impaired fertility, developmental toxicity, or developmental neurotoxicity. No indication for genotoxicity of any of the test substances was observed. Local effects were similar across the different ZnO test substances and were reversible after the end of the exposure. CONCLUSION With exception of local toxicity, this study could not confirm the occasional findings in some of the previous studies regarding the above-mentioned toxicological endpoints. The two representative ZnO nanoforms and the microscale particles showed similar local effects. The ZnO nanoforms most likely exhibit their effects by zinc ions as no particles could be detected after the end of the exposure, and exposure to rapidly soluble zinc sulfate had similar effects. Obviously, material differences between the ZnO particles do not substantially alter their toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics. The grouping of ZnO nanoforms into a set of similar nanoforms is justified by these observations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lan Ma-Hock
- BASF SE, Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Steffen Schneider
- BASF SE, Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Naveed Honarvar
- BASF SE, Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Silke Treumann
- BASF SE, Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Sibylle Groeters
- BASF SE, Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Volker Strauss
- BASF SE, Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Heike Marxfeld
- BASF SE, Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Dorothee Funk-Weyer
- BASF SE, Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Svenja Seiffert
- BASF SE, Analytical and Material Science, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Wendel Wohlleben
- BASF SE, Analytical and Material Science, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Martina Dammann
- BASF SE, Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | - Karin Wiench
- BASF SE, Product Stewardship, Regulatory Toxicology Chemicals, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Robert Landsiedel
- BASF SE, Experimental Toxicology and Ecology, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany.
- Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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Monsé C, Merget R, Bünger J, Pallapies D, Brüning T. Systemic inflammatory effects of zinc oxide particles: is a re-evaluation of exposure limits needed? Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:2813-2818. [PMID: 37566122 PMCID: PMC10474974 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03567-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to airborne substances such as gases, vapours, and particles remains a relevant health risk in many workplaces. A current topic and cause for discussion is the investigation of the health effects of particles containing zinc oxide (ZnO). Among other data, those collected from our study on human exposure data of ZnO in 2018 prompted the National Research Centre for the Working Environment 2021 to formulate a new, sharply lowered proposed occupational exposure limit (OEL) for zinc in workplaces. Since the publication of the Danish report, further studies have been conducted with ZnO. In the following text, all arguments for deriving this new limit value for zinc from the report are discussed, extended with the more recent data since 2018. It should be noted that especially the application of time extrapolation factors needs further discussion and harmonization between regulatory authorities. From our point of view, the data situation can justify a higher OEL for zinc than that proposed by the Danish National Research Centre for the Working Environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Monsé
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-La-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Rolf Merget
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-La-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jürgen Bünger
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-La-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - Dirk Pallapies
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-La-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
| | - Thomas Brüning
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-La-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany
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Zhang J, Lei C, Liang T, Liu R, Zhao Z, Qi L, Ghaffar A, Xiong J. Acetone Sensor Based on FAIMS-MEMS. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:1531. [PMID: 34945383 PMCID: PMC8703384 DOI: 10.3390/mi12121531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, to address the problems of large blood draws, long testing times, and the inability to achieve dynamic detection of invasive testing for diabetes, stemming from the principle that type 1 diabetic patients exhale significantly higher levels of acetone than normal people, a FAIMS-MEMS gas sensor was designed to detect acetone, which utilizes the characteristics of high sensitivity, fast response, and non-invasive operation. It is prepared by MEMS processes, such as photolithography, etching, and sputtering, its specific dimensions are 4000 μm in length, 3000 μm in width and 800 μm in height and the related test system was built to detect acetone gas. The test results show that when acetone below 0.8 ppm is introduced, the voltage value detected by the sensor basically does not change, while when acetone gas exceeds 1.8 ppm, the voltage value detected by the sensor increases significantly. The detection accuracy of the sensor prepared by this method is about 0.02 ppm/mV, and the voltage change can reach 1 V with a response time of 3 s and a recovery time of 4 s when tested under 20 ppm acetone environment; this has good repeatability and stability, and has great prospects in the field of non-invasive detection of type 1 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junna Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Dynamic Measurement Technology, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (J.Z.); (Z.Z.); (J.X.)
| | - Cheng Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Dynamic Measurement Technology, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (J.Z.); (Z.Z.); (J.X.)
| | - Ting Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Dynamic Measurement Technology, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (J.Z.); (Z.Z.); (J.X.)
| | - Ruifang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China;
| | - Zhujie Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Dynamic Measurement Technology, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (J.Z.); (Z.Z.); (J.X.)
| | - Lei Qi
- North Automatic Control Technology Institute, Taiyuan 030006, China;
| | - Abdul Ghaffar
- State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China;
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jijun Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Dynamic Measurement Technology, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; (J.Z.); (Z.Z.); (J.X.)
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Particle and metal exposure in Parisian subway: Relationship between exposure biomarkers in air, exhaled breath condensate, and urine. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 237:113837. [PMID: 34482160 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Subway particulate toxicity results from in vitro and in vivo studies diverge and call for applied human research on outcomes from chronic exposures and potential exposure biomarkers. We aimed to (1) quantify airborne particulate matter (PM) concentrations (mass and number) and metal concentrations in exhaled breath condensate (EBC), urine, and PM; (2) investigate their associations (EBC vs. PM vs. urine); and (3) assess the relevance of EBC in biomonitoring. Nine subway workers in three jobs: station agents, locomotive operators and security guards were monitored during their 6-h shifts over two consecutive weeks. Six-hour weighed average mass concentrations expressed as PM10, PM2.5 and their metal concentrations were determined. Urine and EBC samples were collected pre- and post-shift. Ultrafine particle (UFP) number concentrations were quantified in PM and EBC samples. Metal concentrations in urine and EBC were standardized by creatinine and EBC volume, respectively, and log-transformed. Associations were investigated using Pearson correlation and linear mixed regression models, with participant's ID as random effect. PM concentrations were below occupational exposure limits (OEL) and varied significantly between jobs. Locomotive operators had the highest exposure (189 and 137 μg/m3 for PM10 and PM2.5, respectively), while station agents had the highest UFP exposure (1.97 × 104 particles/cm3). Five metals (Al, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn) in PM2.5 and three (Al, Fe, and Zn) in PM10 were above the limit of quantification (LOQ). Fe, Cu, Al and Zn were the most abundant by mass fraction in PM. In EBC, the metal concentrations in decreasing order were: Zn > Cu > Ni > Ba > Mn. Security guards had the highest EBC metal concentrations, and in particular Zn and Cu. Urinary metal concentrations in decreasing order were: Si > Zn > Mo > Ti > Cu > Ba ≈ Ni > Co. All urinary metal concentrations from the subway workers were similar to concentrations found in the general population. A statistically significant relationship was found for ultrafine particle number concentrations in PM and in EBC. Zn and Cu concentrations in post-shift EBC were associated with Zn and Cu concentrations in PM10 and with post-shift urinary Zn and Cu concentrations. Therefore, EBC appears a relevant matrix for assessing exposure to UFP in human biomonitoring when inhalation is a primary route of exposure. We found different temporal variation patterns between particle and metal exposures in three matrices (PM, urine, EBC) quantified daily over two full weeks in subway workers. These patterns might be related to metal oxidation, particulates' solubility and size as well as their lung absorption capabilities, which need to be further explored in toxicological research. Further research should also focus on understanding possible influences of low chronic exposures to subway particulates on health in larger cohorts.
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Application of P(VDF-TrFE) Glass Coating for Robust Harmonic Nanoparticles Characterization. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:mi12010041. [PMID: 33401402 PMCID: PMC7823300 DOI: 10.3390/mi12010041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Polyvinylidene fluoride and its copolymers are a well-known family of low-cost ferroelectric materials widely used for the fabrication of devices for a wide range of applications. A biocompatibility, high optical quality, chemical and mechanical durability of poly(vinylidene fluoride–trifluoroethylene), (P(VDF–TrFE)), makes it particularly attractive for designing of effective coating layers for different diagnostic techniques. In the present work, the nonlinear optical characterization of P(VDF-TrFE)-coating films deposited onto a glass substrate was done. Advantages of the coating application for cells/substrates in the field of multiphoton imaging the efficiency of such coating layer for long-duration characterization of so-called harmonic nanoparticles (HNPs) were shown. The influence of glass surface protection by P(VDF-TrFE) film from an effect of HNPs sticking to the walls of the flow-cell was analyzed for effective studying of the optical harmonics generation efficiency of HNPs making the analysis more robust.
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Olejnik M, Kersting M, Rosenkranz N, Loza K, Breisch M, Rostek A, Prymak O, Schürmeyer L, Westphal G, Köller M, Bünger J, Epple M, Sengstock C. Cell-biological effects of zinc oxide spheres and rods from the nano- to the microscale at sub-toxic levels. Cell Biol Toxicol 2020; 37:573-593. [PMID: 33205376 PMCID: PMC8384809 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-020-09571-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Zinc oxide particles were synthesized in various sizes and shapes, i.e., spheres of 40-nm, 200-nm, and 500-nm diameter and rods of 40∙100 nm2 and 100∙400 nm2 (all PVP-stabilized and well dispersed in water and cell culture medium). Crystallographically, the particles consisted of the hexagonal wurtzite phase with a primary crystallite size of 20 to 100 nm. The particles showed a slow dissolution in water and cell culture medium (both neutral; about 10% after 5 days) but dissolved within about 1 h in two different simulated lysosomal media (pH 4.5 to 4.8). Cells relevant for respiratory exposure (NR8383 rat alveolar macrophages) were exposed to these particles in vitro. Viability, apoptosis, and cell activation (generation of reactive oxygen species, ROS, release of cytokines) were investigated in an in vitro lung cell model with respect to the migration of inflammatory cells. All particle types were rapidly taken up by the cells, leading to an increased intracellular zinc ion concentration. The nanoparticles were more cytotoxic than the microparticles and comparable with dissolved zinc acetate. All particles induced cell apoptosis, unlike dissolved zinc acetate, indicating a particle-related mechanism. Microparticles induced a stronger formation of reactive oxygen species than smaller particles probably due to higher sedimentation (cell-to-particle contact) of microparticles in contrast to nanoparticles. The effect of particle types on the cytokine release was weak and mainly resulted in a decrease as shown by a protein microarray. In the particle-induced cell migration assay (PICMA), all particles had a lower effect than dissolved zinc acetate. In conclusion, the biological effects of zinc oxide particles in the sub-toxic range are caused by zinc ions after intracellular dissolution, by cell-to-particle contacts, and by the uptake of zinc oxide particles into cells. Graphical headlights • The cytotoxicity of zinc oxide particles is mainly due to the intracellular release of zinc ions. • The size and shape of zinc oxide micro- and nanoparticles has only small effects on lung cells in the sub-toxic range. • Zinc oxide particles are rapidly taken up by cells, regardless of their size and shape. • Zinc oxide particles rapidly dissolve after cellular uptake in endolysosomes. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- M Olejnik
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - M Kersting
- Bergmannsheil University Hospital/Surgical Research, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - N Rosenkranz
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - K Loza
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - M Breisch
- Bergmannsheil University Hospital/Surgical Research, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - A Rostek
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - O Prymak
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - L Schürmeyer
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - G Westphal
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - M Köller
- Bergmannsheil University Hospital/Surgical Research, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - J Bünger
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - M Epple
- Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - C Sengstock
- Bergmannsheil University Hospital/Surgical Research, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
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