University of Newcastle, Callahan, Australia.
University of Newcastle, Singapore, Singapore.
Environ Geochem Health. 2019 Oct;41(5):2295-2313. doi: 10.1007/s10653-019-00240-7. Epub 2019 Jan 22.
Human exposure to engineered nanoparticles has become inevitable in today's extensive commercial use and large-scale production of engineered nanoparticles. Even though several studies have characterised the exposure to nanomaterials during wakeful state (related to occupational exposures and exposures from commercially available particles), very few studies on human exposure during sleep exist. As the study of exposure to all possible nanomaterials during sleep is extensive, this study focuses on exposure to specifically silver nanoparticles which are present in beddings and mattresses. The reasoning behind the use of silver nanoparticles in bedding and related materials, possible routes of entry to various population groups in several sleep positions, exposure characterisation and toxicity potential of such silver nanoparticles are reviewed in this study. The toxicity potential of silver nanoparticles in vivo tests with relation to mammals and in vitro tests on human cells has been tabulated to understand the risks associated during oral, dermal and inhalation exposure to silver nanoparticles. The exposure to humans with regard to dermal absorption and oral intake has been summarised. Although potential inhalation exposure to silver nanoparticles is increasing, only a few studies address the possible toxic effect of inhaled silver particles. Determination of exposure to silver nanoparticles in beddings is a topic that has been less researched, and this review aims to provide background information for future research and help establish a comprehensive risk assessment during sleep in the times of increasing usage of nanoparticles in our daily activities. Despite the current limitations of our understanding, risk assessments must utilise the available data and apply extrapolation procedures in the face of uncertainty, in order to address the needs of regulatory programs. This would enable safe use of the antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles without negatively impacting human health. Until then, it would be better to adopt a conservative approach on the usage of silver nanoparticles in daily used commercial items.
在当今广泛应用和大规模生产工程纳米粒子的情况下，人类接触工程纳米粒子已不可避免。尽管已经有几项研究描述了在清醒状态下（与职业暴露和市售颗粒暴露有关）接触纳米材料的情况，但在睡眠期间接触人类的研究却很少。由于研究所有可能在睡眠期间接触的纳米材料非常广泛，因此本研究集中于特定的银纳米粒子暴露，这些纳米粒子存在于床上用品和床垫中。本研究回顾了在寝具和相关材料中使用银纳米粒子的原因、各种人群在各种睡眠姿势下进入的可能途径、暴露特征和此类银纳米粒子的毒性潜力。已经对与哺乳动物有关的体内试验和对人类细胞的体外试验中的银纳米粒子毒性潜力进行了制表，以了解在经口、经皮和吸入暴露于银纳米粒子时相关的风险。已经对与皮肤吸收和口服摄入有关的人类暴露进行了总结。尽管潜在的吸入银纳米粒子暴露在增加，但只有少数研究涉及吸入银颗粒的可能毒性作用。在寝具中确定银纳米粒子的暴露是一个研究较少的课题，本综述旨在为未来的研究提供背景信息，并有助于在我们的日常活动中纳米粒子使用日益增加的情况下建立全面的睡眠风险评估。尽管我们目前对这方面的理解存在局限性，但风险评估必须利用现有数据并在不确定的情况下应用外推程序，以满足监管计划的需求。这将使我们能够在不影响人类健康的情况下安全使用银纳米粒子的抗菌特性。在那之前，在日常使用的商业产品中使用银纳米粒子时最好采取保守的方法。
