Biomarkers of susceptibility: State of the art and implications for occupational exposure to engineered nanomaterials

Journal Article · Sun May 15 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TAAP.2015.12.018· OSTI ID:22689172

Iavicoli, Ivo ^[1]; Leso, Veruscka ^[2]

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1. Department of Public Health, Division of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples (Italy)
2. Institute of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome (Italy)

Rapid advances and applications in nanotechnology are expected to result in increasing occupational exposure to nano-sized materials whose health impacts are still not completely understood. Scientific efforts are required to identify hazards from nanomaterials and define risks and precautionary management strategies for exposed workers. In this scenario, the definition of susceptible populations, which may be at increased risk of adverse effects may be important for risk assessment and management. The aim of this review is to critically examine available literature to provide a comprehensive overview on susceptibility aspects potentially affecting heterogeneous responses to nanomaterials workplace exposure. Genetic, genotoxic and epigenetic alterations induced by nanomaterials in experimental studies were assessed with respect to their possible function as determinants of susceptibility. Additionally, the role of host factors, i.e. age, gender, and pathological conditions, potentially affecting nanomaterial toxicokinetic and health impacts, were also analysed. Overall, this review provides useful information to obtain insights into the nanomaterial mode of action in order to identify potentially sensitive, specific susceptibility biomarkers to be validated in occupational settings and addressed in risk assessment processes. The findings of this review are also important to guide future research into a deeper characterization of nanomaterial susceptibility in order to define adequate risk communication strategies. Ultimately, identification and use of susceptibility factors in workplace settings has both scientific and ethical issues that need addressing. - Highlights: • To define susceptible populations is important for risk assessment and management; • Genetic susceptibility may influence the individual response to nanomaterial exposure; • Susceptibility factors in workplace settings have both scientific and ethical issues.

• OSTI ID: 22689172
• Journal Information: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Vol. 299; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2015 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0041-008X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ADP
ALANINES
AMINOTRANSFERASES
BIOLOGICAL MARKERS
CADMIUM TELLURIDES
CARBON NANOTUBES
COMPLEMENT
CYTOCHROMES
DNA
ENGINEERS
EXCISION REPAIR
FERRITE
FERRITES
GLUTATHIONE
HAZARDS
IRON
IRON OXIDES
NANOMATERIALS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
PHOSPHOTRANSFERASES
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS
POLYETHYLENES
QUANTUM DOTS
RECEPTORS
REVIEWS
RIBOSE
RISK ASSESSMENT
RODENTS
SILICON OXIDES
TITANIUM OXIDES