Carbon Nanotubes Released from an Epoxy-Based Nanocomposite: Quantification and Particle Toxicity

Studies combining both the quantification of free nanoparticle release and the toxicological investigations of the released particles from actual nanoproducts in a real-life exposure scenario are urgently needed, yet very rare. Here, a new measurement method was established to quantify the amount of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science & technology 2015-09, Vol.49 (17), p.10616-10623
Main Authors: Schlagenhauf, Lukas, Buerki-Thurnherr, Tina, Kuo, Yu-Ying, Wichser, Adrian, Nüesch, Frank, Wick, Peter, Wang, Jing
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cell Line
Cell Survival - drug effects
Cytotoxicity
Epithelial Cells - drug effects
Epithelial Cells - metabolism
Epoxy Resins - chemistry
Humans
Ions
Lung - cytology
Macrophages - drug effects
Macrophages - metabolism
Nanocomposites
Nanotubes
Nanotubes, Carbon - toxicity
Particulate Matter - toxicity
Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism
Toxicity
Toxicity Tests
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Summary:Studies combining both the quantification of free nanoparticle release and the toxicological investigations of the released particles from actual nanoproducts in a real-life exposure scenario are urgently needed, yet very rare. Here, a new measurement method was established to quantify the amount of free-standing and protruding multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in the respirable fraction of particles abraded from a MWCNT–epoxy nanocomposite. The quantification approach involves the prelabeling of MWCNTs with lead ions, nanocomposite production, abrasion and collection of the inhalable particle fraction, and quantification of free-standing and protruding MWCNTs by measuring the concentration of released lead ions. In vitro toxicity studies for genotoxicity, reactive oxygen species formation, and cell viability were performed using A549 human alveolar epithelial cells and THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages. The quantification experiment revealed that in the respirable fraction of the abraded particles, approximately 4000 ppm of the MWCNTs were released as exposed MWCNTs (which could contact lung cells upon inhalation) and approximately 40 ppm as free-standing MWCNTs in the worst-case scenario. The release of exposed MWCNTs was lower for nanocomposites containing agglomerated MWCNTs. The toxicity tests revealed that the abraded particles did not induce any acute cytotoxic effects.
ISSN:0013-936X
1520-5851
DOI:10.1021/acs.est.5b02750