INTRODUCTION: Nanomaterials have widespread applications in several industrial sectors. ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) are among the most commonly used metal oxide NPs in personal care products, coating and paints. However, their potential toxicological impact on the environment is largely unexplored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aim of this work was to evaluate whether ZnO nanoparticles exert toxic and genotoxic effects upon terrestrial organisms: plants (Lepidium sativum, Vicia faba), crustaceans (Heterocyipris incongruens), insects (Folsomia candida). To achieve this purpose, organisms pertaining to different trophic levels of the soil ecosystem have been exposed to ZnO NPs. In parallel, the selected soil organisms have been exposed to the same amount of Zn in its ionic form (Zn(2+)) and the effects have been compared. RESULTS: The most conspicuous effect, among the test battery organisms, was obtained with the ostracod H. incongruens, which was observed to be the most sensitive organism to ZnO NPs. The root elongation of L. sativum was also mainly affected by exposure to ZnO NPs with respect to ZnCl(2), while collembolan reproduction test produced similar results for both Zn compounds. Slight genotoxic effects with V. faba micronucleus test were observed with both soils. CONCLUSION: Nanostructured ZnO seems to exert a higher toxic effect in insoluble form towards different terrestrial organisms with respect to similar amounts of zinc in ionic form.
INTRODUCTION: Nanomaterials have widespread applications in several industrial sectors. ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) are among the most commonly used metal oxide NPs in personal care products, coating and paints. However, their potential toxicological impact on the environment is largely unexplored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aim of this work was to evaluate whether ZnO nanoparticles exert toxic and genotoxic effects upon terrestrial organisms: plants (Lepidium sativum, Vicia faba), crustaceans (Heterocyipris incongruens), insects (Folsomia candida). To achieve this purpose, organisms pertaining to different trophic levels of the soil ecosystem have been exposed to ZnO NPs. In parallel, the selected soil organisms have been exposed to the same amount of Zn in its ionic form (Zn(2+)) and the effects have been compared. RESULTS: The most conspicuous effect, among the test battery organisms, was obtained with the ostracod H. incongruens, which was observed to be the most sensitive organism to ZnO NPs. The root elongation of L. sativum was also mainly affected by exposure to ZnO NPs with respect to ZnCl(2), while collembolan reproduction test produced similar results for both Zn compounds. Slight genotoxic effects with V. faba micronucleus test were observed with both soils. CONCLUSION: Nanostructured ZnO seems to exert a higher toxic effect in insoluble form towards different terrestrial organisms with respect to similar amounts of zinc in ionic form.
Authors: Tobias J Brunner; Peter Wick; Pius Manser; Philipp Spohn; Robert N Grass; Ludwig K Limbach; Arie Bruinink; Wendelin J Stark Journal: Environ Sci Technol Date: 2006-07-15 Impact factor: 9.028
Authors: Philip J Moos; Kevin Chung; David Woessner; Matthew Honeggar; N Shane Cutler; John M Veranth Journal: Chem Res Toxicol Date: 2010-04-19 Impact factor: 3.739
Authors: Natasha M Franklin; Nicola J Rogers; Simon C Apte; Graeme E Batley; Gerald E Gadd; Philip S Casey Journal: Environ Sci Technol Date: 2007-12-15 Impact factor: 9.028
Authors: Zoltán Sávoly; Krisztina Hrács; Bernhard Pemmer; Christina Streli; Gyula Záray; Péter István Nagy Journal: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Date: 2016-02-05 Impact factor: 4.223
Authors: Yumei Xie; Nolann G Williams; Ana Tolic; William B Chrisler; Justin G Teeguarden; Bettye L S Maddux; Joel G Pounds; Alexander Laskin; Galya Orr Journal: Toxicol Sci Date: 2011-09-28 Impact factor: 4.849