title: Nanomaterials in humans: identification, characteristics, and potential damage.
abstract: Nanomaterials are increasingly being used for commercial purposes. However, concerns about the potential risks of exposure to humans have been raised. We previously reported unusual pulmonary disease and death in a group of patients with occupational exposure to spray paint. However, the nanoparticle and chemical composition of the exposure was not fully described. The present study aimed to isolate and identify the nanoparticles observed in the patients' biopsies and report the potential deleterious effects to human lungs using electron microscopy. Using electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analysis, silica nanoparticles were identified and characterized mainly in macrophages, pulmonary microvessels, vascular endothelial cells, microlymphatic vessels, pleural effusions, and a few in alveolar epithelial cells and pulmonary interstitial tissue (with no microscale particles present). Notably, damage to alveolar epithelial cells, macrophages, vascular endothelial cells, and the blood-gas barrier was observed. Given the well-documented toxicity of microscale silica, it is possible that these silica nanoparticles may have contributed in part to the illness reported in these workers. Such a possibility supports the adoption of controls and prevention strategies to minimize inhalation of nanoparticles by workers, and it highlights the urgent need and the importance of the nanosafety study in humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. songrain123@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Yuguo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Xue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Liying
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yon
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rojanasakul
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Castranova
authors.forename: Huiling
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D008168:Lung / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D055370:Lung Injury / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008875:Middle Aged; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D010150:Paint / Q000506:poisoning; D010316:Particle Size; D010996:Pleural Effusion; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000506:poisoning
chemical_list: D012822:Silicon Dioxide