Dosimetry and toxicology of ultrafine particles.
While epidemiological studies indicate an association between adverse health effects and ambient ultrafine particle concentrations in susceptible individuals, toxicological studies aim to identify mechanisms which are causal for the gradual transition from the physiological status towards patho-physiological disease. Impressive progress has been made in recent years when objectives changed from classical tests like lung function, etc. to endpoints comprising of particle induced oxidative stress, cell signaling and activation, release of mediators initiating inflammatory processes not only in the respiratory tract but also in the cardio-vascular system. Particularly, the large surface area of ultrafine particles provides a unique interface for catalytic reactions of surface-located agents with biological targets like proteins, cells, etc. However, toxicological studies are hampered by a number of imminent complications when simulating long-term exposure of humans in urban environments with inherited and/or acquired susceptibility (e.g., acute exposure studies at high concentrations either in human subjects or animal models). Yet, based on a conservative estimate results available begin to show an adverse health risk for susceptible individuals and support the epidemiological evidence.
Institute of Inhalation Biology, GSF-National Research Center for Environment and Health, Munich, Germany. Kreyling@gsf.de
Wolfgang G
WG
Kreyling
Manuela
M
Semmler
Winfried
W
Möller
D000336:Aerosols / Q000633:toxicity*; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D010316:Particle Size; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013499:Surface Properties
D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants