Cited by 238Nanoparticles: synthesis and applicationsAir Quality and Health ImpactsOccupational and environmental lung diseases

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 414 of the 415 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 7 of the 323 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

Particle toxicology and health - where are we?

Open access

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Particles and fibres affect human health as a function of their properties such as chemical composition, size and shape but also depending on complex interactions in an organism that occur at various levels between particle uptake and target organ responses. While particulate pollution is one of the leading contributors to the global burden of disease, particles are also increasingly used for medical purposes. Over the past decades we have gained considerable experience in how particle properties and particle-bio interactions are linked to human health. This insight is useful for improved risk management in the case of unwanted health effects but also for developing novel medical therapies. The concepts that help us better understand particles' and fibres' risks include the fate of particles in the body; exposure, dosimetry and dose-metrics and the 5 Bs: bioavailability, biopersistence, bioprocessing, biomodification and bioclearance of (nano)particles. This includes the role of the biomolecule corona, immunity and systemic responses, non-specific effects in the lungs and other body parts, particle effects and the developing body, and the link from the natural environment to human health. The importance of these different concepts for the human health risk depends not only on the properties of the particles and fibres, but is also strongly influenced by production, use and disposal scenarios. CONCLUSIONS: Lessons learned from the past can prove helpful for the future of the field, notably for understanding novel particles and fibres and for defining appropriate risk management and governance approaches.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review synthesizes current understanding of particle and fibre toxicology and particle medicine, emphasizing that physicochemical properties, biokinetics, the biomolecule corona, and the 5Bs shape health outcomes. It concludes that lessons from conventional particle toxicology remain relevant for nanomaterials, while major uncertainties persist in dose-response, risk ranking, and governance.

Key findings

  • The global health burden of particles remains large: the Global Burden of Disease study attributed 4.2 million deaths in 2015 to ambient particulate matter, 2.9 million to household air pollution, 0.4 million to occupational PM exposures, and 0.2 million to asbestos.
  • Nanomedicine has advanced clinically: more than a dozen anticancer nanomedicines have been approved, and almost 40 are in clinical trials; the EPR effect, PEGylation, and particle size/shape influence biodistribution, while micellar nanocomplexes loaded with Herceptin showed synergistic anticancer activity in vitro and in vivo.
  • Inhaled nanoparticle biokinetics differ from micron-sized particles: 20 nm particles reach a maximum lung deposition of about 50% of inhaled aerosol (about 15% alveolar, 35% conducting airways), with two-thirds cleared within 24 hours and one-third retained long-term; lavage recovers about 80% of micron-sized particles but only 20% of 20 nm and about 30% of 70 nm particles.
  • Translocation to circulation varies by material: after inhalation of 20 nm aerosols in rats, translocation percentages normalized to alveolar deposition were 7.96 ± 0.47 for iridium, 6.95 ± 0.14 for TiO2, 2.18 ± 0.31 for elemental carbon, and 1.79 ± 0.39 for gold.
  • Non-specific particle effects are reported: mixed dust pneumoconiosis accounted for 34% of all pneumoconiosis in one cited context, and a TiO2 worker study found small particle number (<300 nm) positively associated with heart rate and negatively associated with RR50, suggesting suppressed parasympathetic function.

Methods

  • The paper is a narrative synthesis of keynote presentations from the most recent particle toxicology conference in Singapore, covering particle toxicology, particle medicine, biokinetics, dosimetry, the 5Bs, immunity, non-specific effects, developmental toxicity, environmental links, and risk governance.
  • It draws on cited animal, in vitro, and epidemiological studies; no systematic search strategy, meta-analysis, or new primary data collection is described.

Limitations

  • The paper does not include a formal limitations section. It states knowledge gaps including uncertainty about how low particle levels cause diverse effects, the lack of a ranking of substances or emission sources for risk management, poor understanding of the bioavailable dose for nanoparticles, the need for in vitro–in vivo correlation, and a gap from fundamental science to regulatory relevance.
  • Evident from the text: as a conference-keynote synthesis, it is not a systematic review and provides no new experimental data; its conclusions are expert synthesis rather than quantitatively pooled evidence.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1186/s12989-019-0302-8

Cites

414 of 414 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Figures

Fig. 1 Overview on different types of NP’s translocation and clearance in the lungs. Artwork by Mark Miller, reproduced with permission from [14].
Fig. 1 Overview on different types of NP’s translocation and clearance in the lungs. Artwork by Mark Miller, reproduced with permission from [14].CC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 2 Panel A: Alveolar-macrophage (AM) associated percentages of inhaled NP (20 + 80 nm iridium NP, 20 nm gold + elemental-carbon NP and 20 + 70 nm titanium dioxide NP) versus instilled micron-sized particles (0.5, 3, and 10 μm polystyrene (PSL) particles) found in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of rats 24 h after application [54]. Panel B: Percentages of inhaled NP (20 nm iridium NP from 3 - 180 days and 20 nm gold + titanium dioxide NP from 3 - 28 days after inhalation) found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of rats at various time points [54] versus micron-sized particles (either inhaled 3.5 μm PSL [52] or intratracheally instilled fluorescent 2 μm PSL [51]. All percentages are relative to the contemporary lung burden.
Fig. 2 Panel A: Alveolar-macrophage (AM) associated percentages of inhaled NP (20 + 80 nm iridium NP, 20 nm gold + elemental-carbon NP and 20 + 70 nm titanium dioxide NP) versus instilled micron-sized particles (0.5, 3, and 10 μm polystyrene (PSL) particles) found in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of rats 24 h after application [54]. Panel B: Percentages of inhaled NP (20 nm iridium NP from 3 - 180 days and 20 nm gold + titanium dioxide NP from 3 - 28 days after inhalation) found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids of rats at various time points [54] versus micron-sized particles (either inhaled 3.5 μm PSL [52] or intratracheally instilled fluorescent 2 μm PSL [51]. All percentages are relative to the contemporary lung burden.CC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 3 The ratios Ri represent the fractions of TiO22NP present in liver, spleen, kidneys and carcass (without organs) and the integral sum of all absorbed fractions determined after IT-instillation that have been absorbed through the GIT relative to the sum of gut-absorbed and ABB-translocated TiO2NP after 1, 7 and 28 days. Mean ± SEM of n=4 rats at each time point.
Fig. 3 The ratios Ri represent the fractions of TiO22NP present in liver, spleen, kidneys and carcass (without organs) and the integral sum of all absorbed fractions determined after IT-instillation that have been absorbed through the GIT relative to the sum of gut-absorbed and ABB-translocated TiO2NP after 1, 7 and 28 days. Mean ± SEM of n=4 rats at each time point.CC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 4 Estimation of chronic NOAEC from subchronic rodent study using the MPPD Model.
Fig. 4 Estimation of chronic NOAEC from subchronic rodent study using the MPPD Model.CC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 5 Bioprocessing of inhaled nano-SiO2 particles: (left) large agglomerates of amorphous precursor material; right) dark field STEM image showing breakdown of SiO2 NPs in alveolar macrophage (Zone 1) and formation of Zone II.
Fig. 5 Bioprocessing of inhaled nano-SiO2 particles: (left) large agglomerates of amorphous precursor material; right) dark field STEM image showing breakdown of SiO2 NPs in alveolar macrophage (Zone 1) and formation of Zone II.CC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 6 Conceptual understanding of the inter-relationships between the 5Bs and the working definitions of these terms as used in this section. Bioavailability indicates the amount of the applied dose that is in the right form to enter the organism, which for NPs depends on the dispersion conditions and the interplay between the medium components and the NP surface. Biopersistence provides an indication of how long the NPs remain in circulation and/or are retained by the organs to which they biodistribute (i.e. the retention half-life) as determined by their adsorbed biomolecule corona. Retention is affected by bioprocessing, which we define as the physicochemical transformation of the NPs by cells or organisms, which are often driven by the acquired biomolecules. Bioprocessing reflects the fact that NPs and their degradation products may impact on the biochemical functioning of the cell or organism, including assimilation into cellular reactions. Finally, bioclearance describes the elimination pathways by which organisms remove NPs, which are dependent upon the uptake route and the biodistribution pattern as different organs have different clearance mechanisms available, as well as the bioprocessing following localisation to the target organs.
Fig. 6 Conceptual understanding of the inter-relationships between the 5Bs and the working definitions of these terms as used in this section. Bioavailability indicates the amount of the applied dose that is in the right form to enter the organism, which for NPs depends on the dispersion conditions and the interplay between the medium components and the NP surface. Biopersistence provides an indication of how long the NPs remain in circulation and/or are retained by the organs to which they biodistribute (i.e. the retention half-life) as determined by their adsorbed biomolecule corona. Retention is affected by bioprocessing, which we define as the physicochemical transformation of the NPs by cells or organisms, which are often driven by the acquired biomolecules. Bioprocessing reflects the fact that NPs and their degradation products may impact on the biochemical functioning of the cell or organism, including assimilation into cellular reactions. Finally, bioclearance describes the elimination pathways by which organisms remove NPs, which are dependent upon the uptake route and the biodistribution pattern as different organs have different clearance mechanisms available, as well as the bioprocessing following localisation to the target organs.CC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 7 Example of a modern risk governance framework including a wide range of stakeholder communities (adapted by authors from IRGC, http://www.irgc.org/risk-governance/irgc-risk-governance-framework/, accessed July 17, 2015)
Fig. 7 Example of a modern risk governance framework including a wide range of stakeholder communities (adapted by authors from IRGC, http://www.irgc.org/risk-governance/irgc-risk-governance-framework/, accessed July 17, 2015)CC BY · PubMed Central

Verification

Claims the paper makes

101 Not checked yet · 56 No full text of the sources · 53 Own interpretation · 40 No basis given · 6 Own result · 5 Sources not found · 2 Supported · 2 Partly supported · 2 Own method · 1 Supported so far · 1 Not supported · accuracy not yet measured

Verify all 134 references — free account

Show all 113 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 119
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 69
156 of 156
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Particles can have positive health consequences when used for medical purposes such as drug delivery.

    “However, particles can also have positive health consequences when used for medical purposes such as drug delivery.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    More than a dozen anticancer nanomedicines have been approved for clinical use, and almost 40 are in clinical trials.

    “To date, more than a dozen anticancer nanomedicines have been approved for clinical use, and almost 40 are in clinical trials.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The concepts presented at the Singapore conference in combination help understand the large and complex field of particle toxicology and medicine.

    “The keynote speakers of the Singapore conference presented the concepts that in combination help understand the large and complex field of particle toxicology and medicine.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Biomodification, as determined by the NP-associated biomolecules, strongly influences the distribution of NPs.

    “Studies of the biodistribution of NPs as a function of exposure route correlate with this assumption that biomodification, as determined by the NP-associated biomolecules, strongly influences the distribution of the NPs.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The MPPD model can estimate chronic NOAEC from a subchronic rodent study.

    “Figure: Fig. 4 Estimation of chronic NOAEC from subchronic rodent study using the MPPD Model.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Airborne particulates are deleterious to human health.

    “The founding assumption from the perspective of respiratory toxicology is that airborne particulates are deleterious to human health.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The relationship between exposure and effect is relatively well-known for airborne particles.

    “The relationship between exposure and effect is relatively well-known for airborne particles.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The lung is a critical target organ with the penetration of the material into the airway being dependent on particle size.

    “The lung is a critical target organ with the penetration of the material into the airway being dependent on particle size.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The keratinised nature of human skin with the triple layer of epidermis, dermis and hypodermis is an effective barrier to substances in the environment, provided that the skin remains intact.

    “The keratinised nature of human skin with the triple layer of epidermis, dermis and hypodermis is regarded as an effective barrier to substances in the environment, provided that the skin remains intact.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Nanoparticles are separate entities with different chemical compositions capable of durable independent existence without disintegration over time to their chemical constituents.

    “This could also be applicable to NPs with the important premise that NPs are separate entities with different chemical compositions capable of durable independent existence without disintegration over time to its chemical constituents.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Nanoparticle safety, health effects, and exposure patterns differ from their chemical constituents.

    “NP safety, health effects and exposure patterns also differ from their very chemical constituents.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Materials often behave differently at the nanoscale, lending them different physicochemical properties.

    “first, materials often behaves differently at the nanoscale lending them different physico-chemical properties.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Nanoparticles have biodurability and long-term health effects similar to larger sized particles and fibres.

    “Hence, similar to larger sized particles and fibres, the assessment of their biodurability and subsequent long-term health effects should also be considered in addition to their short-term toxic effects.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Stakeholder involvement in risk governance decision making is complicated by difficulty identifying and engaging appropriate stakeholder communities, limited coordination between government and non-government communities, and inability of governments to agree on principles and elements of risk governance.

    “The challenges of stakeholder involvement in risk governance decision making are complicated by difficulty identifying and engaging the appropriate stakeholder communities, the limited coordination between government and non-government communities, and the inability of governments to agree on the principles and elements of risk governance.”
14 of 14

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

4 of 4

Citations

Cites

Research works printed but not linked: 16

  1. ARA, Multiple-path particle dosimetry model (MPPD version 3.0). 2009.
  2. Kreyling, W., Translocation and Accumulation in the Body, in Nanoparticles in the Lung, A.e. Tsuda, Editor. 2014, CRC Press.
  3. Asgharian B, Miller FJ, Subramaniam RP. CIIT Activities: Dosimetry software to predict particle deposition in humans and rats; 1999.
  4. OECD 116 Guidance document 116 on the conduct and design of chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity studies supporting test guidelines 451, 452 and 453. 2ND EDITION. Series on Testing and Assessment No. 116, 2012. ENV/JM/MONO (2011)47.
  5. OECD 105 Water Solubility https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/environment/test-no-105-water-solubility_9789264069589-en , 1995.
  6. Middleton EL. Report on the International Conference on Silicosis. London: His Majesty’s Stationery Office; 1931.
  7. ILO. Silicosis Records of the International Conference held at Johannesburg 13-27 August 1930. in http://www.ugr.es/~amenende/investigacion/ILO-Silicosis-Conference-1930.pdf . 1930. PS Kimg & Sons Ltd, London.
  8. Wagner, J.C. Some Pathological Aspects of Asbestos in the Union of South Africa. in Proceedings of the Pneumoconiosis. 1959. The University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 1960: J. & A. Churchhill Ltd, (London).
  9. Goldstein, B. Animal experiments on important parameters of dust in relation to the production of fibrosis. in Proceedings of the Pneumoconiosis Conference, Johannesburg. 1959. Published by J & A Chrchill Ltd, London, 94-107. 1960.
  10. Beadle, D.G. and A.A. Bradley. The composition of airborne dust in South African gold mines. Pneumoconiosis, Proceedings of the International Conference, Johannesburg, 1969. 1970. Oxford University Press.
  11. Stanton MF, Layard M, Tegeris A, Miller E, May M, Morgan E, Smith A. Relation of particle dimension to carcinogenicity in amphibole asbestoses and other fibrous minerals. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1981;67(5):965–75.
  12. Timbrell, V. Characteristics of the International Union Against Cancer standard reference samples of asbestos. In: Pneumoconiosis Proceedings of International Conference, Johannesburg, 1969. Ed. HA Shapiro. Oxford University Press, Cape Town, , p 28. 1970.
  13. Vigliani, E.C., Pernis, B., Monaco, L., A study of the action of quartz particles on macrophages in vitro. In: Inhaled Particles and Vapours (C. N. Davis, Ed.), Pergamon Press, London, , pp. 348-353. 1961.
  14. Sutton DA. The chemical approach to therapy in the pneumoconiosis. In: Proceedings of the Pneumoconiosis Conference, vol. 1960. Johannesburg: J & A Churchill Ltd.; 1959.
  15. Goldstein, B. Animal experiments on important parameters of dust in relation to the production of fibrosis. in Proceedings of the Pneumoconiosis Conference, Johannesburg. Ed AJ Orenstein. 1969. JA Churchill Ltd, London, 441-443. 1970.
  16. Hendren CO, Wiesner MR. Risk Forecasting and Life-Cycle Considerations. In: Environmental Nanotechnology, Applications and Impacts of Nanomaterials. New York: McGraw Hill Education; 2016.

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Metadata

Authors
Riediker, M., Zink, D., Kreyling, W., Oberdörster, G., Elder, A., Graham, U., Lynch, I., Duschl, A., Ichihara, G., Ichihara, S., Kobayashi, T., Hisanaga, N., Umezawa, M., Cheng, T.-J., Handy, R., Gulumian, M., Tinkle, S., & Cassee, F.
Affiliations
  • Agency for Science, Technology and Research (SG)
  • Helmholtz Munich (DE)
  • University of Rochester Medicine (US)
  • University of Kentucky (US)
  • University of Birmingham (GB)
  • University of Salzburg (AT)
  • Tokyo University of Science (JP)
  • Jichi Medical University (JP)
  • National Institute for Environmental Studies (JP)
  • Aichi Gakusen University (JP)
  • National Taiwan University (TW)
  • University of Plymouth (GB)
  • University of the Witwatersrand (ZA)
  • Utrecht University (NL)
Corresponding author
Riediker, Michael
Venue
Particle and Fibre Toxicology
Published
2019-04-23
Volume
16
Issue
1
Pages
19-19
ISSN
1743-8977 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2941472874
Cited by
237
References
415
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 40 · 2021: 47 · 2020: 41 · 2019: 4
FWCI
1.59
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Particle and Fibre Toxicology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PEARL (University of Plymouth) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PuSH - Publication Server of Helmholtz Zentrum München (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • Site cant be reached (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Rivm (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) (submittedVersion)
  • Rivm Repository (Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) (submittedVersion)
  • Rivm (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (16H02965, 19H04279)
  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (P30ES001247)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Air Quality and Health Impacts
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Occupational and environmental lung diseases
Keywords
fibers, human health risk, particle uptake, immunity, lung effects, developmental toxicity, environmental exposure, risk management, nanomedicine
MeSH terms
Air Pollutants, Humans, Particle Size, Risk Management, Surface Properties, Risk Assessment, Mineral Fibers, Inhalation Exposure, Particulate Matter, Nanoparticles

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