Nanotoxicology, Environmental Risk Assessment and Nanotoxicity Analysis of Engineered Nanomaterials (ENMs)

A special issue of Toxics (ISSN 2305-6304). This special issue belongs to the section "Exposome Analysis and Risk Assessment".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2023) | Viewed by 7325

Special Issue Editors

Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Beijing 100097, China
Interests: environmental risk assessment; photocatalytic nanomaterials; photoelectric nanomaterial; analysis method of emerging contaminants; nanomaterial sensors; and food safety
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Guest Editor
Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Science, Beijing 100097, China
Interests: nanotoxicology; micro-/nanoplastics; emerging contaminants; environmental risk assessment; soil ecosystems

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Guest Editor
Academy of Agricultural Planning and Engineering, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
Interests: ecotoxicological assessment; environmental risk assessment; microplastic environmental risk; research and development of heavy metal detection technology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanoparticles are engineered particles between 1 and 100 nanometers in diameter, a size range known as the nanoscale. Nanoparticles behave quite differently to microparticles and even fine particles, and possess unique electronic, optical and thermal properties. Many different engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), such as Ag-ENPs, SiO2-ENPs, TiO2-ENPs and carbon nanomaterials, have been synthesized and widely applied in many fields, ranging from personal care products to medicine. Due to their widespread use, ENMs are inevitably released into the environment (in water, sediment, soil, air, etc.), and thus several questions have arisen about the safety of such materials. For example, their environmental residues may be toxic to soil microorganisms, aquatic organisms, plants and even the human body. While much data have been produced in relation to this issue, more research on analysis methods and the environmental behavior and toxicity assessment of ENMs is necessary.

This Special Issue will focus on “Nanotoxicology, Environmental Risk Assessment and Nanotoxicity Analysis of Engineered Nanomaterials (ENMs)”, with a scope ranging from source identification to monitoring method to toxicity evaluation. Authors are invited to submit original research papers, reviews and short communications. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

1) Contamination source and environmental behavior;

2) Transfer of ENMs in soil and plants;

3) Ecotoxicity evaluation;

4) Methods of analysis of ENM toxicity;

5) Agricultural products/food safety;

6) Environmental/health risk assessment.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Gang Liang
Dr. Wenwen Gong
Dr. Juan Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Toxics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • environmental behavior
  • ecotoxicity evaluation
  • nanotoxicology
  • analysis method
  • health risk assessment
  • engineered nanomaterials
  • phyto-toxicological effects
  • bioassays

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3214 KiB  
Article
Adverse Responses following Exposure to Subtoxic Concentrations of Zinc Oxide and Nickle Oxide Nanoparticles in the Raw 264.7 Cells
by Nasser B. Alsaleh, Mohammed A. Assiri, Anas M. Aljarbou, Mohammed M. Almutairi, Homood M. As Sobeai, Ali A. Alshamrani and Sultan Almudimeegh
Toxics 2023, 11(8), 674; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11080674 - 06 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1458
Abstract
The incorporation of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in biomedical and consumer products has been growing, leading to increased human exposure. Previous research was largely focused on studying direct ENM toxicity in unrealistic high-exposure settings. This could result in overlooking potential adverse responses at low [...] Read more.
The incorporation of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in biomedical and consumer products has been growing, leading to increased human exposure. Previous research was largely focused on studying direct ENM toxicity in unrealistic high-exposure settings. This could result in overlooking potential adverse responses at low and subtoxic exposure levels. This study investigated adverse cellular outcomes to subtoxic concentrations of zinc oxide (ZnONPs) or nickel oxide (NiONPs) nanoparticles in the Raw 264.7 cells, a macrophage-like cell model. Exposure to both nanoparticles resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction of cell viability. A subtoxic concentration of 6.25 µg/mL (i.e., no observed adverse effect level) was used in subsequent experiments. Exposure to both nanoparticles at subtoxic levels induced reactive oxygen species generation. Cellular internalization data demonstrated significant uptake of NiONPs, while there was minimal uptake of ZnONPs, suggesting a membrane-driven interaction. Although subtoxic exposure to both nanoparticles was not associated with cell activation (based on the expression of MHC-II and CD86 surface markers), it resulted in the modulation of the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response (TNFα and IL6), and cells exposed to ZnONPs had reduced cell phagocytic capacity. Furthermore, subtoxic exposure to the nanoparticles distinctly altered the levels of several cellular metabolites involved in cell bioenergetics. These findings suggest that exposure to ENMs at subtoxic levels may not be devoid of adverse health outcomes. This emphasizes the importance of establishing sensitive endpoints of exposure and toxicity beyond conventional toxicological testing. Full article
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21 pages, 3842 KiB  
Article
Aquatic Ecosystem Risk Assessment Generated by Accidental Silver Nanoparticle Spills in Groundwater
by Rosember Ramirez, Vicenç Martí and R. M. Darbra
Toxics 2023, 11(8), 671; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11080671 - 03 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 973
Abstract
This paper aims to create a new model for assessing the ecosystem risk in rivers and wetlands that are linked to accidental spills of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in soil/groundwater. Due to the uncertainty of the modeling inputs, a combination of two well-known risk [...] Read more.
This paper aims to create a new model for assessing the ecosystem risk in rivers and wetlands that are linked to accidental spills of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in soil/groundwater. Due to the uncertainty of the modeling inputs, a combination of two well-known risk assessment methodologies (Monte Carlo and fuzzy logic) were used. To test the new model, two hypothetical, accidental AgNP soil spill case studies were evaluated; both of which were located at the end of the Llobregat River basin within the metropolitan area of Barcelona (NE Spain). In both cases, the soil spill reached groundwater. In the first case, it was discharged into a river, and in the second case, it recharged a wetland. Concerning the results, in the first case study, a medium-risk assessment was achieved for most cases (83%), with just 10% of them falling below the future legal threshold concentration value. In the second case study, a high-risk assessment was obtained for most cases (84%), and none of the cases complied with the threshold value. A sensitivity analysis was conducted for the concentration and risk. The developed tool was proven capable of assessing risk in aquatic ecosystems when dealing with uncertain and variable data, which is an improvement compared to other risk assessment methodologies. Full article
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15 pages, 4981 KiB  
Article
Effects of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes on Premature Kidney Aging: Biochemical and Histological Analysis
by Ji-Eun Kim and Myung-Haing Cho
Toxics 2023, 11(4), 373; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11040373 - 14 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1432
Abstract
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have gained much attention due to their superb properties, which make them promising options for the reinforcing composite materials with desirable mechanical properties. However, little is known about the linkage between lung exposure to nanomaterials and kidney disease. In this [...] Read more.
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have gained much attention due to their superb properties, which make them promising options for the reinforcing composite materials with desirable mechanical properties. However, little is known about the linkage between lung exposure to nanomaterials and kidney disease. In this study, we compared the effects on the kidneys and aging for two different types of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs): pristine MWCNTs (PMWCNTs) and acid-treated MWCNTs (TMWCNTs), with TMWCNTs being the preferred form for use as a composite material due to its superior dispersion properties. We used tracheal instillation and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for both types of CNTs. MTD was determined as a 10% weight loss dose in a 3-month subchronic study, and the appropriate dosage for 1-year exposure was 0.1 mg/mouse. Serum and kidney samples were analyzed using ELISA, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry after 6 months and 1 year of treatment. PMWCNT-administered mice showed the activation of pathways for inflammation, apoptosis, and insufficient autophagy, as well as decreased serum Klotho levels and increased serum levels of DKK-1, FGF-23, and sclerostin, while TMWCNTs did not. Our study suggests that lung exposure to PMWCNTs can induce premature kidney aging and highlights a possible toxic effect of using MWCNTs on the kidneys in the industrial field, further highlighting that dispersibility can affect the toxicity of the nanotubes. Full article
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Review

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18 pages, 1531 KiB  
Review
Aptamer Sensors for the Detection of Antibiotic Residues— A Mini-Review
by Gang Liang, Le Song, Yufei Gao, Kailong Wu, Rui Guo, Ruichun Chen, Jianhui Zhen and Ligang Pan
Toxics 2023, 11(6), 513; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11060513 - 07 Jun 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1867
Abstract
Food security is a global issue, since it is closely related to human health. Antibiotics play a significant role in animal husbandry owing to their desirable broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. However, irrational use of antibiotics has caused serious environmental pollution and food safety problems; [...] Read more.
Food security is a global issue, since it is closely related to human health. Antibiotics play a significant role in animal husbandry owing to their desirable broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. However, irrational use of antibiotics has caused serious environmental pollution and food safety problems; thus, the on-site detection of antibiotics is in high demand in environmental analysis and food safety assessment. Aptamer-based sensors are simple to use, accurate, inexpensive, selective, and are suitable for detecting antibiotics for environmental and food safety analysis. This review summarizes the recent advances in aptamer-based electrochemical, fluorescent, and colorimetric sensors for antibiotics detection. The review focuses on the detection principles of different aptamer sensors and recent achievements in developing electrochemical, fluorescent, and colorimetric aptamer sensors. The advantages and disadvantages of different sensors, current challenges, and future trends of aptamer-based sensors are also discussed. Full article
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Other

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8 pages, 1316 KiB  
Technical Note
A Novel Chemiluminescent Method for Efficient Evaluation of Heterogeneous Fenton Catalysts Using Cigarette Tar
by Dabin Wang, Weisong Yu, Bin Jiang, Tao Zeng, Dean Song, Song Fang, Yizhi Zhang and Jiguang Zhang
Toxics 2023, 11(1), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11010030 - 29 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1033
Abstract
The evaluation of the catalytic capacity of catalysts is indispensable research, as catalytic capacity is a crucial factor to dictate the efficiency of heterogeneous Fenton catalysis. Herein, we obtained cigarette tar-methanol extracts (CTME) by applying methanol to cigarette tar and found that CTME [...] Read more.
The evaluation of the catalytic capacity of catalysts is indispensable research, as catalytic capacity is a crucial factor to dictate the efficiency of heterogeneous Fenton catalysis. Herein, we obtained cigarette tar-methanol extracts (CTME) by applying methanol to cigarette tar and found that CTME could cause CL reactions with Fe2+/H2O2 systems in acidic, neutral, and alkaline media. The CL spectrum experiment indicated that the emission wavelengths of the CTME CL reaction with Fe2+/H2O2 systems were about 490 nm, 535 nm, and 590 nm. Quenching experiments confirmed that hydroxyl radicals (•OH) were responsible for the CL reaction for CTME. Then the CL property of CTME was applied in-situ to rapidly determine the amounts of •OH in tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (TCBQ)/H2O2 system in acidic, neutral and alkaline media, and the CL intensities correlated the best (R2 = 0.99) with TCBQ concentrations. To demonstrate the utility of the CTME CL method, the catalytic capacity of different types and concentrations of catalysts in heterogeneous Fenton catalysis were examined. It was found that the order of CL intensities was consistent with the order of degradation efficiencies of Rhodamine B, indicating that this method could distinguish the catalytic capacity of catalysts. The CTME CL method could provide a convenient tool for the efficient evaluation of the catalytic capacity of catalysts in heterogeneous Fenton catalysis. Full article
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