Abstract
Here we characterize the toxicity of environmentally-relevant forms of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), which can transform during wastewater treatment and persist in aqueous effluents and biosolids. In an aerosol exposure scenario, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of effluents and biosolids from lab-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) to A549 human lung epithelial cells were examined. The SBRs were dosed with nanoAg, nano zero-valent iron (NZVI), nanoTiO2 and nanoCeO2 at sequentially increasing concentrations from 0.1 to 20 mg/L. Toxicities were compared to outputs from SBRs dosed with ionic/bulk analogs, undosed SBRs, and pristine ENMs. Pristine nanoAg and NZVI showed significant cytotoxicity to A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner from 1 to 67 μg/mL, while nanoTiO2 and nanoCeO2 only exerted cytotoxicity at 67 μg/mL. Only nanoAg induced a genotoxic response, at 9, 33 and 53 μg/mL. However, no significant cytotoxic or genotoxic effects of the SBR effluents or biosolids containing nanomaterials were observed.
Highlights
The concern that engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) may have adverse effects on human health is increasing as application of nanotechnology in consumer products expands [1,2]
This study examined cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of effluents and biosolids from lab-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) receiving ENMs to A549 human lung epithelial cells
As previously reported (Ma et al [35]), lab-scale nitrifying SBRs fed with synthetic wastewater were set up and operated at steady state under three conditions in duplicate: (1) SBRs dosed with nanoAg, nano zerovalent iron (NZVI), nanoTiO2, or nanoCeO2; (2) SBRs dosed with Ag+, Fe2+, bulkTiO2, or bulkCeO2; and (3) undosed SBRs
Summary
The concern that engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) may have adverse effects on human health is increasing as application of nanotechnology in consumer products expands [1,2]. Y. Ma et al / Toxicology Reports 1 (2014) 871–876 biologically transformed in the environment, potentially altering their toxicity [10,11]. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are a critical route of ENM receipt and release into the natural environment [12,13,14]. During the reuse of treated wastewater and landapplication of waste sludge (biosolids), there is potential for humans to be exposed to transformed ENMs, especially through inhalation of aerosols generated [17,18]. To the knowledge of the authors, impacts of human exposure to transformed ENMs following wastewater treatment have not previously been reported. This study examined cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of effluents and biosolids from lab-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) receiving ENMs to A549 human lung epithelial cells. Toxicities were compared to outputs from SBRs dosed with ionic/bulk analogs (Ag+, Fe2+, bulkTiO2 and bulkCeO2), outputs from undosed SBRs, and pristine ENMs
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