A work group report on ultrafine particles (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology): Why ambient ultrafine and engineered nanoparticles should receive special attention for possible adverse health outcomes in human subjects

• Published in: Journal of allergy and clinical immunology Vol. 138; no. 2; pp. 386 - 396
• Main Authors: Li, Ning, Georas, Steve, Alexis, Neil, Fritz, Patricia, Xia, Tian, Williams, Marc A., Horner, Elliott, Nel, Andre
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.08.2016; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; allergic inflammation; Allergy and Immunology; Ambient ultrafine particles; Animals; Asthma; Atoms & subatomic particles; Composite materials; Cosmetics; Disease Susceptibility; effect on human health; Emissions; engineered nanoparticles; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Human subjects; Humans; Inflammation - etiology; Inflammation - metabolism; lung inflammation; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles - adverse effects; Nanotechnology; Organic chemicals; Oxidative Stress; particle deposition and distribution; Particulate Matter - adverse effects; Public Health Surveillance; Roads & highways; Silicones - adverse effects; Skin; Traffic flow; allergic inflammation; particle deposition and distribution; ENM; CNT; asthma; engineered nanoparticles; OC; PAH; AgNP; PM2.5; ROS; effect on human health; PM10; MWCNT; ZnO; OVA; Ambient ultrafine particles; oxidative stress; EC; UFP; lung inflammation; DC; TiO2; Organic carbon; Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm; Reactive oxygen species; Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 μm; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; PM 2.5; Ultrafine particle; Multiwall carbon nanotube; Silver nanoparticle; Engineered nanomaterial; Elemental carbon; Zinc oxide; Titanium dioxide; Dendritic cell; Ovalbumin; PM 10; Carbon nanotube; TiO 2
• ISSN: 0091-6749; 1097-6825; 1097-6825
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2016.02.023

Ultrafine particles (UFPs) are airborne particulates of less than 100 nm in aerodynamic diameter. Examples of UFPs are diesel exhaust particles, products of cooking, heating, and wood burning in indoor environments, and, more recently, products generated through the use of nanotechnology. Studies have shown that ambient UFPs have detrimental effects on both the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, including a higher incidence of atherosclerosis and exacerbation rate of asthma. UFPs have been found to alter in vitro and in vivo responses of the immune system to allergens and can also play a role in allergen sensitization. The inflammatory properties of UFPs can be mediated by a number of different mechanisms, including the ability to produce reactive oxygen species, leading to the generation of proinflammatory cytokines and airway inflammation. In addition, because of their small size, UFPs also have unique distribution characteristics in the respiratory tree and circulation and might be able to alter cellular function in ways that circumvent normal signaling pathways. Additionally, UFPs can penetrate intracellularly and potentially cause DNA damage. The recent advances in nanotechnology, although opening up new opportunities for the advancement of technology and medicine, could also lead to unforeseen adverse health effects in exposed human subjects. Further research is needed to clarify the safety of nanoscale particles, as well as the elucidation of the possible beneficial use of these particulates to treat disease. [Display omitted]