Environmental and Health Concerns: Case Studies on Possible Health Effects Concerning Nurses
Human exposure to products containing nanoparticles is increasing rapidly. Currently, nurses may encounter several products containing nanoparticles, such as hospital linens and scrubs, antibacterial sprays and surface coatings, burn bandages, and catheters. These products may contain nanosilver or nano Titanium Dioxide, used for its antibacterial properties. Nurses may also be exposed to medications, food and personal care products containing, nanoparticles.The more products containing nanoparticles the greater is the chance for exposure.
There is a limited number of well-controlled studies on the potential toxicities of nanoparticles to humans, but existing studies suggest that nanoparticles can induce toxicity in living beings.
Nanoparticle Exposure by Inhalation:
Niosh in 2011 determined that occupational exposure by inhalation to nanoscale TiO2 particles should be considered a potential occupational carcinogen.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies titanium dioxide as a Group 2B carcinogen, which means it's "possibly carcinogenic to humans." This was based on an animal study showing inhaling high concentrations of titanium dioxide dust may lead to lung cancer.
Toolbox
- Mark R. Miller, Jennifer B. Raftis, Jeremy P. Langrish, Steven G. McLean, Pawitrabhorn Samutrtai, Shea P. Connell, Simon Wilson, Alex T. Vesey, Paul H. B. Fokkens, A. John F. Boere, Petra Krystek, Colin J. Campbell, Patrick W. F. Hadoke, Ken Donaldson, Flemming R. Cassee, David E. Newby, Rodger Duffin, and Nicholas L. Mills. Inhaled Nanoparticles Accumulate at Sites of Vascular Disease. ACS Nano 2017 11 (5), 4542-4552 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.6b08551
- Ellen Kim, Ji Hyun Lee, Jin Kwon Kim, et al., “Case Study on Risk Evaluation of Silver Nanoparticle Exposure from Antibacterial Sprays Containing Silver Nanoparticles,” Journal of Nanomaterials, vol. 2015, Article ID 346586, 8 pages, 2015. doi:10.1155/2015/346586