Nanostructured calcium silicate hydrate seeds accelerate concrete hardening: a combined assessment of benefits and risks

Investigating the release of ZnO nanoparticles from cement mortars on microbiological models

Incorporating zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) into cement mortars may provide additional functions, e.g., self-cleaning and antibacterial or electroconductive ability. However, these NPs are also known for their potential toxicity. During the life cycle of a cement mortar, various abrasive forces cause the release of admixtures to the natural environment. The effect of the released NPs on model microorganisms has not been extensively studied. Previous studies have shown that nanomaterials may affect various microorganisms’ physiological responses, including changes in metabolic activity, biofilming, or growth rate. In this study, we have focused on evaluating the response of model microorganisms, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, towards ZnO nanoparticles released from cement mortars in different deterioration scenarios. The addition of ZnO nanoparticles to cement mortars had a noticeable effect on impeding the strength development. We have also detected that depending on the deterioration scenario, the release of ZnO nanoparticles was varied. Our studies have also shown that even though the release of nanoform ZnO could be limited by poor dispersion or the used filtration technique, the eluates have caused slight but statistically significant changes in the physiological features of studied microorganisms showing relatively low toxicity.

The effects of calcium–silicate–hydrate (C–S–H) seeds on reference microorganisms

Building materials are constantly improved with various additives and admixtures in order to achieve goals ranging from obtaining increased durability or antimicrobial activity up to reducing the carbon footprint left by the cement production. Since nanomaterials were proposed for cement products, many studies explored the possibilities for their incorporation. One of the novel trends in studying these materials is evaluating their impact on living organisms, with the focus not only on toxicology but also on the application potential. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of three types of calcium–silicate–hydrate (C–S–H) seeds on reference microorganisms in the scope of their basic physiology and primary metabolism. Shape, size and elemental composition of C–S–H seeds were also evaluated. The tests on the reference microorganisms have shown that the reaction to these nanomaterials can be specific and depends on the strain as well as the type of used nanomaterial. Furthermore, the presence of C–S–H seeds in the growth environment led to metabolic stimulation that resulted in faster growth, higher biochemical activity, and increased biofilm formation. Based on our findings, we conclude that even though C–S–H seeds have antimicrobial potential, they can be potentially used to promote the growth of selected microbial strains. This phenomenon could be further investigated towards the formation of beneficial biofilms on building materials.

Hydrotalcites in Construction Materials

Hydrotalcites are layered double hydroxides displaying a variety of stoichiometry caused by the different arrangement of the stacking of the layers, ordering of the metal cations, as well as the arrangement of anions and water molecules, in the interlayer galleries. The compounds of the hydrotalcite group show a wide range of the possible applications due to their specific properties, such as their large surface area, ion exchange ability, the insolubility in water and most of the organic sorbents, and others. Affordability, wide possibilities of manufacturing, and presence of sufficient natural deposits make hydrotalcites potentially very useful for the construction industry, as either a building material itself or an additive in mortars, concrete or in polymers composites used in constructions. Similar possible application of such material is in leakage control in a radioactive waste repository. The effect of use of these materials for ion exchange, anti-corrosion protection, radioactive ions containment, and similar purposes in building materials is examined in this review.

Recent Advances on the Application of Layered Double Hydroxides in Concrete-A Review

The issue of chloride induced corrosion of reinforced concrete is a serious problem affecting infrastructure globally and causing huge economic losses. As such this issue has gained a considerable attention in the scientific community in the recent past. Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) have recently emerged as a new class of concrete-additives with a potential to increase the chloride resistance of concrete and mitigate corrosion. LDHs are clay like structures consisting of positively charged layers of cations with associated hydroxides and exchangeable anions in between the layers. Due to this charge balanced structure, LDHs possess the property of encapsulating an anion from the environment and replacing it with an exchangeable anion present in its layers. Potential applications include chloride entrapment in concrete and delivery of corrosion inhibiting anions. However, many versatile compositions of LDHs can be easily synthesized and their application as cement additives reach far beyond corrosion mitigation in concrete. This review presents a summary of recent advances on the applications of LDH in concrete. An extensive set of recently published literature has been critically reviewed and trends have been identified.

Safety assessment of nanomaterials using an advanced decision-making framework, the DF4nanoGrouping

As presented at the 2016 TechConnect World Innovation Conference on 22-25 May 2016 in Washington DC, USA, the European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC) 'Nano Task Force' proposes a Decision-making framework for the grouping and testing of nanomaterials (DF4nanoGrouping) consisting of three tiers to assign nanomaterials to four main groups with possible further subgrouping to refine specific information needs. The DF4nanoGrouping covers all relevant aspects of a nanomaterial's life cycle and biological pathways: intrinsic material properties and system-dependent properties (that depend upon the nanomaterial's respective surroundings), biopersistence, uptake and biodistribution, and cellular and apical toxic effects. Use, release, and exposure route may be applied as 'qualifiers' to determine if, e.g., nanomaterials cannot be released from products, which may justify waiving of testing. The four main groups encompass (1) soluble, (2) biopersistent high aspect ratio, (3) passive, and (4) active nanomaterials. The DF4nanoGrouping foresees a stepwise evaluation of nanomaterial properties and effects with increasing biological complexity. In case studies covering carbonaceous nanomaterials, metal oxide, and metal sulfate nanomaterials, amorphous silica and organic pigments (all nanomaterials having primary particle sizes below 100 nm), the usefulness of the DF4nanoGrouping for nanomaterial hazard assessment was confirmed. The DF4nanoGrouping facilitates grouping and targeted testing of nanomaterials. It ensures that sufficient data for the risk assessment of a nanomaterial are available, and it fosters the use of non-animal methods. No studies are performed that do not provide crucial data. Thereby, the DF4nanoGrouping serves to save both animals and resources.

Concern-driven integrated approaches for the grouping, testing and assessment of nanomaterials

NM's potential to induce adverse effects in humans or the environment is being addressed in numerous research projects, and methods and tools for NM hazard identification and risk assessment are advancing. This article describes how integrated approaches for the testing and assessment of NMs can ensure the safety of nanomaterials, while adhering to the 3Rs principle.

Case studies putting the decision-making framework for the grouping and testing of nanomaterials (DF4nanoGrouping) into practice

Case studies covering carbonaceous nanomaterials, metal oxide and metal sulphate nanomaterials, amorphous silica and organic pigments were performed to assess the Decision-making framework for the grouping and testing of nanomaterials (DF4nanoGrouping). The usefulness of the DF4nanoGrouping for nanomaterial hazard assessment was confirmed. In two tiers that rely exclusively on non-animal test methods followed by a third tier, if necessary, in which data from rat short-term inhalation studies are evaluated, nanomaterials are assigned to one of four main groups (MGs). The DF4nanoGrouping proved efficient in sorting out nanomaterials that could undergo hazard assessment without further testing. These are soluble nanomaterials (MG1) whose further hazard assessment should rely on read-across to the dissolved materials, high aspect-ratio nanomaterials (MG2) which could be assessed according to their potential fibre toxicity and passive nanomaterials (MG3) that only elicit effects under pulmonary overload conditions. Thereby, the DF4nanoGrouping allows identifying active nanomaterials (MG4) that merit in-depth investigations, and it provides a solid rationale for their sub-grouping to specify the further information needs. Finally, the evaluated case study materials may be used as source nanomaterials in future read-across applications. Overall, the DF4nanoGrouping is a hazard assessment strategy that strictly uses animals as a last resort.

A decision-making framework for the grouping and testing of nanomaterials (DF4nanoGrouping)

The European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC) 'Nano Task Force' proposes a Decision-making framework for the grouping and testing of nanomaterials (DF4nanoGrouping) that consists of 3 tiers to assign nanomaterials to 4 main groups, to perform sub-grouping within the main groups and to determine and refine specific information needs. The DF4nanoGrouping covers all relevant aspects of a nanomaterial's life cycle and biological pathways, i.e. intrinsic material and system-dependent properties, biopersistence, uptake and biodistribution, cellular and apical toxic effects. Use (including manufacture), release and route of exposure are applied as 'qualifiers' within the DF4nanoGrouping to determine if, e.g. nanomaterials cannot be released from a product matrix, which may justify the waiving of testing. The four main groups encompass (1) soluble nanomaterials, (2) biopersistent high aspect ratio nanomaterials, (3) passive nanomaterials, and (4) active nanomaterials. The DF4nanoGrouping aims to group nanomaterials by their specific mode-of-action that results in an apical toxic effect. This is eventually directed by a nanomaterial's intrinsic properties. However, since the exact correlation of intrinsic material properties and apical toxic effect is not yet established, the DF4nanoGrouping uses the 'functionality' of nanomaterials for grouping rather than relying on intrinsic material properties alone. Such functionalities include system-dependent material properties (such as dissolution rate in biologically relevant media), bio-physical interactions, in vitro effects and release and exposure. The DF4nanoGrouping is a hazard and risk assessment tool that applies modern toxicology and contributes to the sustainable development of nanotechnological products. It ensures that no studies are performed that do not provide crucial data and therefore saves animals and resources.

Pulmonary toxicity of nanomaterials: a critical comparison of published in vitro assays and in vivo inhalation or instillation studies

To date, guidance on how to incorporate in vitro assays into integrated approaches for testing and assessment of nanomaterials is unavailable. In addressing this shortage, this review compares data from in vitro studies to results from in vivo inhalation or intratracheal instillation studies. Globular nanomaterials (ion-shedding silver and zinc oxide, poorly soluble titanium dioxide and cerium dioxide, and partly soluble amorphous silicon dioxide) and nanomaterials with higher aspect ratios (multiwalled carbon nanotubes) were assessed focusing on the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) reference nanomaterials for these substances. If in vitro assays are performed with dosages that reflect effective in vivo dosages, the mechanisms of nanomaterial toxicity can be assessed. In early tiers of integrated approaches for testing and assessment, knowledge on mechanisms of toxicity serves to group nanomaterials thereby reducing the need for animal testing.

Application of short-term inhalation studies to assess the inhalation toxicity of nanomaterials

Background

A standard short-term inhalation study (STIS) was applied for hazard assessment of 13 metal oxide nanomaterials and micron-scale zinc oxide.

Methods

Rats were exposed to test material aerosols (ranging from 0.5 to 50 mg/m³) for five consecutive days with 14- or 21-day post-exposure observation. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and histopathological sections of the entire respiratory tract were examined. Pulmonary deposition and clearance and test material translocation into extra-pulmonary organs were assessed.

Results

Inhaled nanomaterials were found in the lung, in alveolar macrophages, and in the draining lymph nodes. Polyacrylate-coated silica was also found in the spleen, and both zinc oxides elicited olfactory epithelium necrosis. None of the other nanomaterials was recorded in extra-pulmonary organs. Eight nanomaterials did not elicit pulmonary effects, and their no observed adverse effect concentrations (NOAECs) were at least 10 mg/m³. Five materials (coated nano-TiO₂, both ZnO, both CeO₂) evoked concentration-dependent transient pulmonary inflammation. Most effects were at least partially reversible during the post-exposure period.

Based on the NOAECs that were derived from quantitative parameters, with BALF polymorphonuclear (PMN) neutrophil counts and total protein concentration being most sensitive, or from the severity of histopathological findings, the materials were ranked by increasing toxic potency into 3 grades: lower toxic potency: BaSO₄; SiO₂.acrylate (by local NOAEC); SiO₂.PEG; SiO₂.phosphate; SiO₂.amino; nano-ZrO₂; ZrO₂.TODA; ZrO₂.acrylate; medium toxic potency: SiO₂.naked; higher toxic potency: coated nano-TiO₂; nano-CeO₂; Al-doped nano-CeO₂; micron-scale ZnO; coated nano-ZnO (and SiO₂.acrylate by systemic no observed effect concentration (NOEC)).

Conclusion

The STIS revealed the type of effects of 13 nanomaterials, and micron-scale ZnO, information on their toxic potency, and the location and reversibility of effects. Assessment of lung burden and material translocation provided preliminary biokinetic information. Based upon the study results, the STIS protocol was re-assessed and preliminary suggestions regarding the grouping of nanomaterials for safety assessment were spelled out.