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Microplastics are small plastic fragments that are widely distributed in marine and terrestrial environments. While the soil ecosystem represents a large reservoir for plastic, research so far has focused mainly on the impact on aquatic ecosystems and there is a lack of information on the potentially adverse effects of microplastics on soil biota. Earthworms are key organisms of the soil ecosystem and are due to their crucial role in soil quality and fertility a suitable and popular model organism in soil ecotoxicology.
Therefore, the aim of this study was to gain insight into the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastics on the earthworm Eisenia andrei on multiple levels of biological organization after different exposure periods. Earthworms were exposed to two types of microplastics: (1) polystyrene-HBCD and (2) car tire abrasion in natural soil for 2, 7, 14 and 28 d. Acute and chronic toxicity and all subcellular investigations were conducted for all exposure times, avoidance behavior assessed after 48 h and reproduction after 28 d. Subcellular endpoints included enzymatic biomarker responses, namely, carboxylesterase, glutathione peroxidase, acetylcholinesterase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase and catalase activities, as well as fluorescence-based measurements of oxidative stress-related markers and multixenobiotic resistance activity. Multiple biomarkers showed significant changes in activity, but a recovery of most enzymatic activities could be observed after 28 d. Overall, only minor effects could be observed on a subcellular level, showing that in this exposure scenario with environmentally relevant concentrations based on German pollution levels the threat to soil biota is minimal. However, in areas with higher concentrations of microplastics in the environment, these results can be interpreted as an early warning signal for more adverse effects. In conclusion, these findings provide new insights regarding the ecotoxicological effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastics on soil organisms.
There are significant differences in toxicity of PM components and cellular responses that can be linked to adverse health effects. Soot and copper oxide induced toxicity, reduced metabolic activity, increased ROS and altered immune response. Increased ROS generation and mitochondrial dysfunctions are well known features in COPD pathology. Toxicity of individual airborne particles can be used to better understand adverse health effects and improve air quality guidelines.
SnOct 2-Catalyzed Syntheses of Cyclic Poly (l-lactide) s with Catechol as Low-Toxic Co-catalyst
(2019)
Polymerizations of l-lactide in bulk at 160 or 180 °C were performed with 1/1 mixtures of catechol (CA) or 4-tert-butylcatechol (BuCA) and tin(II)-2-ethylhexanoate (SnOct2) as catalysts and a variation of the Lac/Cat ratio. Weight average molar masses (Mw) up to 170,000 g mol−1 were obtained with CA and up to 120,000 g mol−1 with BuCA. The cyclic structure of the resulting poly(l-lactide)s was proven by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and by comparison of their hydrodynamic volumes with those of commercial linear poly(l-lactide)s. The predominance of even-numbered cycles increased with lower temperatures and shorter polymerization times. This fnding indicates that the cyclic architecture is the results of a ring-expansion polymerization mechanism. Addition of silylated BuCA as co-catalyst was less favorable than addition of free BuCA.
Due to their unique optical properties, quantum dots (QDs) are used in a number of optoelectronic devices and are forecasted to be used in the near future for biomedical applications. The most popular QD composition consists of cadmium selenide (CdSe) or cadmium telluride (CdTe), which has been shown to pose health risks due to the release of toxic cadmium (Cd) ions. Due to similar optical properties but lower intrinsic toxicity, indium phosphide (InP) QDs have been proposed as a safer alternative. Nevertheless, investigations regarding their safety and possible toxicological effects are still in their infancy.
The fate and toxicity of seven different water-dispersible indium (In) based QDs, either pristine or after ageing in a climatic chamber, was evaluated. The core of these QDs was composed of indium, zinc and phosphorus (InZnP) or indium, zinc, phosphorus and sulfur (InZnPS). They were assessed either as core-only or as core-shell QDs, for which the core was capped with a shell of zinc, selenium and sulfur (Zn(Se,S)). Their Surface was functionalized using either penicillamine or glutathione.
In their pristine form, these QDs showed essentially no cytotoxicity. The particular case of InZnPS QD showed that core-shell QDs were less cytotoxic than core-only QDs. Moreover, surface functionalization with either penicillamine or glutathione did not appreciably influence cytotoxicity but affected QD stability. These QDs did not lead to over-accumulation of reactive oxygen species in exposed cells, or to any oxidative damage to cellular DNA. However, accelerated weathering in a climatic chamber led to QD precipitation and degradation, together with significant cytotoxic effects. Ageing led to dissociation of IneP and ZneS bonds, and to complexation of In Zn ions with carboxylate and/or phosphate moieties.
These results show that InZnP and InZnPS alloyed QDs are safer alternatives to CdSe QDs. They underline the necessity to preserve as much as possible the structural integrity of QDs, for instance by developing more robust shells, in order to ensure their safety for future applications.
Flame retardants (FR) are inevitable additives to many plastics. Halogenated organics are effective FRs but are controversially discussed due to the release of toxic gases during a fire or their persistence if landfilled. Phosphorus-containing compounds are effective alternatives to halogenated FRs and have potential lower toxicity and degradability. In addition, nitrogencontaining additives were reported to induce synergistic effects with phosphorus-based FRs. However, no systematic study of the gradual variation on a single phosphorus FR containing both P−O and P−N moieties and their comparison to the respective blends of phosphates and phosphoramides was reported. This study developed general design principles for P−O- and P−N-based FRs and will help to design effective FRs for various polymers. We synthesized a library of phosphorus FRs that only differ in their P-binding pattern from each other and studied their decomposition mechanism in epoxy resins. Systematic control over the decomposition pathways of phosphate (PO(OR)3), phosphoramidate (PO(OR)2(NHR)), phosphorodiamidate (PO(OR)(NHR)2), phosphoramide (PO(NHR)3), and their blends was identified, for example, by reducing cis-elimination and the formation of P−N-rich char with increasing nitrogen content in the P-binding sphere. Our FR epoxy resins can compete with commercial FRs in most cases, but we proved that the blending of esters and amides outperformed the single molecule amidates/diamidates due to distinctively different decomposition mechanisms acting synergistically when blended.
The overall interest in nanotoxicity, triggered by the increasing use of nanomaterials in the material and life sciences, and the synthesis of an ever increasing number of new functional nanoparticles calls for standardized test procedures1,2 and for efficient approaches to screen the potential genotoxicity of these materials. Aiming at the development of fast and easy to use, automated microscopic methods for the determination of the genotoxicity of different types of nanoparticles, we assess the potential of the fluorometric γH2AX assay for this purpose. This assay, which can be run on an automated microscopic detection system, relies on the detection of DNA double strand breaks as a sign for genotoxicity3. Here, we provide first results obtained with broadly used nanomaterials like CdSe/CdS and InP/ZnS quantum dots as well as iron oxide, gold, and polymer particles of different surface chemistry with previously tested colloidal stability and different cell lines like Hep-2 and 8E11 cells, which reveal a dependence of the genotoxicity on the chemical composition as well as the surface chemistry of these nanomaterials. These studies will be also used to establish nanomaterials as positive and negative genotoxicity controls or standards for assay performance validation for users of this fluorometric genotoxicity assay. In the future, after proper validation, this microscopic platform technology will be expanded to other typical toxicity assays.
Development and market introduction of new nanomaterials trigger the need for an adequate risk assessment of such products alongside suitable risk communication measures. Current application of classical and new nanomaterials is analyzed in context of regulatory requirements and standardization for chemicals, food and consumer products. The challenges of nanomaterial characterization as the main bottleneck of risk assessment and regulation are presented. In some areas, e.g., quantification of nanomaterials within complex matrices, the establishment and adaptation of analytical techniques such as laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and others are potentially suited to meet the requirements. As an example, we here provide an approach for the reliable characterization of human exposure to nanomaterials resulting from food packaging. Furthermore, results of nanomaterial toxicity and ecotoxicity testing are discussed, with concluding key criteria such as solubility and fiber rigidity as important parameters to be considered in material development and regulation. Although an analysis of the public opinion has revealed a distinguished rating depending on the particular field of application, a rather positive perception of nanotechnology could be ascertained for the German public in general. An improvement of material characterization in both toxicological testing as well as end-product control was concluded as being the main obstacle to ensure not only safe use of materials, but also wide acceptance of this and any novel technology in the general public.
SETNanoMetro, a European Seventh Framework project, seeks to develop standard synthetic routes and metrological characterisation methods for the development and production of TiO2 nanoparticles and nano-sized coatings with highly-defined, homogeneous and reproducible characteristics. These materials are being tested for their potential in selected technological applications, including as biomaterials, specifically as coatings on dental or orthopaedic metallic prostheses. This study aimed to assess how variations in nano-scale morphology and phase composition of TiO2 coatings affect their biocompatibility in vitro.
Pulsed DC magnetron sputtering was used to deposit a layer of Ti metal followed by a layer of TiO¬2 on standard glass microscope slides. The substrate bias voltage was varied during deposition to control the morphology and phase composition of the TiO2 layers. In order of increasing substrate bias voltage, the phase compositions of the TiO2 layers were: predominantly anatase, mixed anatase/rutile, and predominantly rutile, as confirmed by XRD. Examination of the coating cross-sections by SEM revealed feather-like columnar structures in the thin (950 nm thick) and thick (1550 nm thick) anatase coatings and in the mixed anatase/rutile coating (900 nm thick). In the rutile coating (730 nm thick), the columns were denser and had largely lost their feather-like structure. Top-view SEM showed square-pyramidal morphology of the columns in the anatase coatings, with columns generally 100 nm or smaller in size (thin coating) or up to 200 nm across (thick coating). In the mixed anatase/rutile coating, the top-view showed less regular columnar morphology with more elongated columns (up to approx. 100 nm by 200 nm). In the rutile coating, the top-view showed a less ordered, pebble-like morphology.
MG-63 human osteoblast-like cells and RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells were cultured on the TiO2-coated substrates for 24 or 72 h before quantification of cell proliferation using the WST-1 cell proliferation assay. A toxic response was defined as a reduction in cell viability of greater than 30%. After 24 h culture, proliferation of MG-63 cells was significantly greater than the control (p < 0.05) on the thin anatase and mixed anatase/rutile coatings. After 72 h of culture no significant difference to the control was observed. For RAW 264.7 cells, proliferation was non-significantly decreased compared to the control on all coatings except the rutile coating after 24 h. After 72 h, RAW 264.7 proliferation was significantly decreased (p < 0.01) to 68% and 61% of the control for the thick and thin anatase coatings, respectively, indicating a toxic response. The results indicate that nano-sized TiO2 coatings show different biocompatibility to different test cell types, with a dependence upon coating phase composition and morphology.
Tracking silver nanoparticles: ultra-small silver refunctionalizable with fluorescent biopolymers
(2016)
We report on the synthesis of ultra-small silver nanoparticles and their quantitative characterization by small-angle X-ray scattering. The size distribution was derived by utilizing a Monte-Carlo data evaluation procedure reported by Pauw et al. Mean volume-weighted sizes are 3 nm with a size distribution width of 18 %. The particles should be used as reference materials for comparison of the result of different analytical methods among which are field-flow fractionation (FFF), dynamic light scattering (DLS), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and electron microscopy (EM). In addition further use of the particles is foreseen for comparison of studies on the toxicology of nanoparticles. Therefore the silver nanoparticles are transfunctionalized with fluorescent marked albumin (BSA-FITC) and also thoroughly characterized. With this it is possible to track silver nanoparticles and their behavior in interaction with cells.
Cellular effects of Al-, Ti- and Zn-containing nanomaterials on intestinal cell lines in vitro
(2016)
Aluminium-, titanium- and zinc-containing chemicals are highly abundant in food, food contact materials and consumer products. Physical and chemical conversion might lead to a certain amount of nanoscaled particles that can be taken up by the gastrointestinal tract. Nanospecific effects such as higher reactivity, increased surface or altered uptake can increase hazardous potential for human health. The aim of this study as part of the european SolNanoTOX project is to characterize toxicological effects of Al-, Zn- and Ti-containing nanomaterials on intestinal cell lines.
While toxicological potential of zinc species has been well studied, little is known about the effects of aluminium- and titanium-species. We have performed toxicological experiments on the human intestinal cell line Caco-2 for numerous endpoints: Cellular ATP and glutathione levels, apoptosis, necrosis, vesicular uptake, oxidative stress, growth rate and cell cycle modification. While zinc-containing controls showed toxic responses, our utilized aluminium- (elementary Al, γ-Al2O3) and titanium-species (TiO2, rutile) did not. Nevertheless, we detected some differences between both different aluminium nanoparticle species and aluminium ions with regard to cell viability. We also provide strong evidence for particle-specific uptake of aluminium and titanium in the intestinal cell line Caco-2.
In summary, among the different tested endpoints, Al- and Ti-containing nanomaterials did not show any toxicity in intestinal cell lines in vitro. Nevertheless, this absence of effect was not due to an absence of exposure, since particle-specific uptake was reported. Metal particle uptake over a long time might therefore be relevant for risk assessment of aluminium- and titanium-containing food products.
The inhalationof smoke gases is awell-established cause of poisoning and leads to the death of fire victims. Carbonmonoxide(CO) and Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) are two of the main noxious gases,whereby HCN is formed by an incomplete combustion of materials containing nitrogen. These materials may be natural materials, such as wool, silk and feathers or synthetic plastics, such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyamide and polyurethane. These materials are very common in modern household furnishings; therefore, notonlyCObutalsoHCN can be produced during home fires. Up tonowonly a fewstudieshave been carried out on the generation of HCN as the fire proceeds, e. g. by Crewe et al. The data from such analyses are useful for forensic purposes. This enables the possibility to more accurately assess the events at the fire location, the Situation in which the fire victims are found as well as the cause of death. One way to analyze the gas composition of smoke is to perform bench scale fire tests, where various fire scenarios can be simulated on a smaller scale (e. g. using a smoke density chamber). The results from such experiments were compared with the results obtained in an enclosed room fire test.
The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) DocCenter has received more and more reports of cases of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, some even with fatal outcomes after indoor use of charcoal grills. CO is odorless, colorless, non-irritant and does not produce any other warning effect perceptible to humans. The BfR and the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) have completed a cooperative research project to investigate the toxic concentrations of CO that are reached when charcoal grills or open fires are used indoors.
Vehicle fires in tunnels can have catastrophic consequences for the road users, the property and traffic inffastructure. To support an evacuation planning, this study simulates the fire smoke toxicity and the smoke layer of a vehicle fire in a full-size test tunnel. The three dimensional prediction of the fire smoke toxicity in the test tunnel is realized by implementing the Fractional Effective Dose and the Fractional Summation concept in a CFD environment. The developed model facilitates to calculate fire scenarios for various types of tunnels and to quantify the hazard e.g. during an evacuation scenario.
The influence of fire accelerants on the fire behavior during living room fires was experimentally investigated by performing 5 different room fire scenarios. During the tests flre-technological quantities were determined as well as chemical-analytical studies were carried out. The focus was on the detection of smoke gases and the proof of used fire accelerants. The evaluation of traceable fire accelerants and the reconstruction of the fire development are based on a precise Chemical analysis of the combustion products.
In this work an innovative methodology was developed to combine available analyticai techniques to draw conclusions from solid, liquid and gaseous fire residues about the fire process. Each ofthe fire rooms was equipped with the same living room inventory. The location and amount of fire accelerant (a mixture of diesel/gasoline) differed in 4 of 5 tests. Orte room fire experiment was carried out without fire accelerant.
The following fire technological characteristics were determined during the room fire experiments: mass loss (of the complete room), temperatures (at several locations in the room), heat release and smoke gas emission (measured at three different locations: in the chimney, in the fire room and at the door opening).
While the smoke gases were analysed by using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, the fire residues and swipe samples (particles) were examined by Headspace-Solid Phase Microextraction-
Gaschromatography-Mass spectrometry. These procedures make it possible to detect low concentrations of volatile components of the fire accelerants. The Chemical analyticai results of the fire accelerant detection are presented.
A unifying review of bioassay-guided fractionation, effect-directed analysis and related techniques
(2012)
The success of modern methods in analytical chemistry sometimes obscures the problem that the ever increasing amount of analytical data does not necessarily give more insight of practical relevance. As alternative approaches, toxicity- and bioactivity-based assays can deliver valuable information about biological effects of complex materials in humans, other species or even ecosystems. However, the observed effects often cannot be clearly assigned to specific chemical compounds. In these cases, the establishment of an unambiguous cause-effect relationship is not possible. Effect-directed analysis tries to interconnect instrumental analytical techniques with a biological/biochemical entity, which identifies or isolates substances of biological relevance. Successful application has been demonstrated in many fields, either as proof-of-principle studies or even for complex samples. This review discusses the different approaches, advantages and limitations and finally shows some practical examples. The broad emergence of effect-directed analytical concepts might lead to a true paradigm shift in analytical chemistry, away from ever growing lists of chemical compounds. The connection of biological effects with the identification and quantification of molecular entities leads to relevant answers to many real life questions.
Zur Toxizität von Brandgasen insbesondere von organischen Stoffen liegen bisher noch unzureichende Erkenntnisse vor, obwohl diese für die Sicherheit der damit konfrontierten Personen oft von entscheidender Bedeutung sind. Ziel der hier dargestellten Untersuchungen ist es, die Zusammensetzung des Brandgases und die Menge der Brandgaskomponenten im Brandfall zu beurteilen und zu quantifizieren sowie entsprechende Prozeduren hierfür aufzuzeigen. Dazu wurden verschiedene Brandszenarien, die durch Verwendung von unterschiedlichen Arten von Prüföfen simuliert wurden, sowie Proben in den unterschiedlichen Größenmaßstäben untersucht. Durch den Einsatz eines mobilen FTIR-Gerätes (Fourier Transformations Infrarot Spektroskopie) ist es experimentell möglich, zeitaufgelöst quantitative Bestimmungen einzelner toxischer Brandgaskomponenten während der jeweiligen Brandszenarien zu ermitteln und somit eine Abschätzung der Toxizität vorzunehmen. Am Beispiel von Polyvinylchlorid (PVC) wird gezeigt, welche Auswirkungen die unterschiedlichen Brandszenarien auf die qualitative und quantitative Brandgaszusammensetzung haben.
JATROPHA - The Seed of Energy - CO2-Neutral Fuels and Lubricants Based on Sustainable Non-Food Oils
(2009)
Bioactive ceramics used as coating materials combine the conductive properties of a bioceramic with the mechanical stability of the metal implant. We studied a calcium zirconium phosphate-containing coating material, FA-CZP [Ca5(PO4)3F, CaZr4(PO4)6], that is relatively insoluble in the biological milieu. The reaction of bone to this material was investigated histologically and histomorphometrically in an animal trial. Cylindrical Ti6Al4V specimens that had been coated with FA-CZP by plasma spraying were implanted in the femoral condyles of rabbits. The implants were left in place for 2, 4, 6, 12, and 14 weeks. FA-CZP led to impaired mineralization of the newly formed bone at the interface. Noncalcified osteoid was found throughout the whole study period. The layer seemed to become thicker with time. The mineralization disorder is evidently caused by zirconium ions. The presence of zirconium in the osteoid in contact with the implant was demonstrated by means of two different staining methods.