Abstract
Tungsten was chosen as a wall component to interact with the plasma generated by the International Thermonuclear Experimental fusion Reactor (ITER). Nevertheless, during plasma operation tritiated tungsten nanoparticles (W-NPs) will be formed and potentially released into the environment following a Loss-Of-Vacuum-Accident, causing occupational or accidental exposure. We therefore investigated, in the bronchial human-derived BEAS-2B cell line, the cytotoxic and epigenotoxic effects of two types of ITER-like W-NPs (plasma sputtering or laser ablation), in their pristine, hydrogenated, and tritiated forms. Long exposures (24 h) induced significant cytotoxicity, especially for the hydrogenated ones. Plasma W-NPs impaired cytostasis more severely than the laser ones and both types and forms of W-NPs induced significant micronuclei formation, as shown by cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. Single DNA strand breaks, potentially triggered by oxidative stress, occurred upon exposure to W-NPs and independently of their form, as observed by alkaline comet assay. After 24 h it was shown that more than 50% of W was dissolved via oxidative dissolution. Overall, our results indicate that W-NPs can affect the in vitro viability of BEAS-2B cells and induce epigenotoxic alterations. We could not observe significant differences between plasma and laser W-NPs so their toxicity might not be triggered by the synthesis method.
Highlights
Thermonuclear fusion could potentially represent an unlimited carbon-free source of energy
We investigated if pristine plasma and laser International Thermonuclear Experimental fusion Reactor (ITER)-like W nanoparticles (W-NPs) induced epigenetic effects, such as variation in the DNA methylation, in BEAS-2B cells
The aim of our study was to provide an evaluation of the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and epigenetic in vitro effects that ITER-like W-NPs might have on human health, in relation with the possible W-NPs transformation in biological media
Summary
Thermonuclear fusion could potentially represent an unlimited carbon-free source of energy. Based on the current configuration of the ITER fusion plant, tungsten (W) will be the main component of the divertor of the tokamak reactor, the place where the maximum of energy is deposited. The safety of reactor’s workers and of those living in the nearby area is ensured by High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. Their function is to prevent environmental contamination and occupational or accidental exposure to W particles. HEPA filters have a lower retention capability for particles in the 100–500 nm range [2], so a fraction of the ITER-derived W nanoparticles (W-NPs), might escape the reactor in the case of Loss-Of-Vacuum-Accident (LOVA) and disperse into the environment
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