Photoactive titanium dioxide nanoparticles modify heterotrophic microbial functioning

[Titanium dioxide nanoparticles: occupational exposure limits].

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is produced in Poland as a high production volume chemical (HPVC). It is used mainly as a pigment for paints and coatings, plastics, paper, and also as additives to food and pharmaceuticals. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles are increasingly applied in cosmetics, textiles and plastics as the ultraviolet light blocker. This contributes to a growing occupational exposure to T...

Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles: Grassian et al. Respond

Aggregation and Toxicology of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles

In their study of inhalation exposure of titanium dioxide particles, Grassian et al. (2007) presented a transmission electron micrograph (TEM) (their Figure 2A) as an image of “dispersed” TiO2 nanoparticles. Yet, the TiO2 nanoparticles in this TEM do not appear to be dispersed. There is clear evidence of self-organization of the nanoparticles into distinct assemblages, separated by relatively l...

Mucin Secretion Induced by Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles

Nanoparticle (NP) exposure has been closely associated with the exacerbation and pathophysiology of many respiratory diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma. Mucus hypersecretion and accumulation in the airway are major clinical manifestations commonly found in these diseases. Among a broad spectrum of NPs, titanium dioxide (TiO(2)), one of the PM10 components, ...

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles strongly impact soil microbial function by affecting archaeal nitrifiers

Soils are facing new environmental stressors, such as titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs). While these emerging pollutants are increasingly released into most ecosystems, including agricultural fields, their potential impacts on soil and its function remain to be investigated. Here we report the response of the microbial community of an agricultural soil exposed over 90 days to TiO2-NPs (...