Safety issues relating to nanomaterials for construction applications - Nanotechnology in Eco-efficient Construction - page 132

Table 7.2 Observed toxicological effects of nanomaterials used in the
construction industry

Nanomaterial Observed toxicological effects

Carbon nanotubes ROS generation and damage to DNA and cell

membranes
Mechanical cell piercing
Antibacterial
Apoptosis/necrosis
Respiratory inhibition in mitochondria
Liver damage
Granulomas and athereosclerotic lesions
Inhibition of bacterial clearance from lungs

C 60 (aqueous colloid) Antibacterial

ROS and ROS-independent oxidative stress
Human cell cytotoxicity
Enter human keratinocytes
Proteins stabilizations
Lipid peroxidation

C 60 derivatives Bactericidal for Gram-positive bacteria

Cell wall/membrane damage
Oxidative cytotoxicity
Apoptosis/necrosis
Accumulation in liver
Gliomas and sarcomas in mice and human cells

TiO 2 nanoparticles Bactericidal for Gram-positive bacteria

Suppression of photosynthesis
Acute lethality
Growth inhibition
ROS generation and oxidative damage
Cell damage via ion release
DNA damage
Reduction in metabolic and mitochondrial activities

Cu and CuO
nanoparticles

Toxic to freshwater algae
Toxic to yeast
Lipid peroxidation
Inhibition of biogas production
Single-strand breaks in DNA
Acute toxicity to liver, kidneys, and spleen
Necrosis of hepatocytes

￿ ￿ ￿ ￿ ￿ ￿

Ag nanoparticles Antibacterial

DNA damage
Cytotoxicity of mammalian cells
Apoptosis
Membrane damage
Decrease in cellular metabolic activity
Infl ammation
Genotoxicity
Developmental toxicity
Enhanced venous thrombus formation

Continued