is nano silver dangerous

Introduction

Nano-silver, due to its antimicrobial properties, is increasingly used in various products, raising concerns about its potential risks to human health and the environment. This synthesis aims to provide a cohesive understanding of the potential dangers associated with nano-silver based on recent research findings.

Key Insights

Toxicity Mechanisms and Health Risks
- Nano-silver can cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cellular toxicity through the release of silver ions (Ag+) and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) .
- Exposure to nano-silver can lead to cytotoxic effects, including damage to mitochondria and disruption of cellular functions, which may result in cell cycle arrest and DNA damage .
- Inhalation of nano-silver particles, especially in occupational settings, poses significant health risks, including potential respiratory issues and systemic toxicity.
Environmental Impact
- Nano-silver released into aquatic environments can pose risks to freshwater ecosystems, particularly affecting sediments and potentially leading to toxic effects on aquatic organisms .
- The majority of nano-silver in wastewater treatment plants reacts with sulfides, reducing its presence in effluents but still posing a risk when spread on agricultural fields .
Modulation of Toxicity
- The toxicity of nano-silver can be influenced by its size, surface coating, and the presence of other materials, which can alter its interaction with biological systems and its overall toxic effects .
- Autophagy, a cellular defense mechanism, can be disrupted by nano-silver, leading to aggravated cytotoxic responses and accumulation of stress-related proteins.
Knowledge Gaps and Future Research
- There is a need for more comprehensive data on the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of nano-silver in the human body to better assess its health risks .
- Further research is required to distinguish the toxic contributions of nano-silver in its particulate form versus its ionic form and to understand the long-term environmental impacts .

Conclusion

Nano-silver poses potential risks to both human health and the environment, primarily through oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cellular toxicity. Its impact on aquatic ecosystems and the modulation of its toxicity by various factors further complicate risk assessments. More research is needed to fill existing knowledge gaps and to develop safer applications and regulatory guidelines for nano-silver use.

Is nano silver dangerous

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Nano-silver – a review of available data and knowledge gaps in human and environmental risk assessment

Nano-silver's toxic effects are likely due to the release of free silver ions, and future research should validate the '0-hypothesis' and determine whether nano-silver particles enter the body.

Nano Silver-Induced Toxicity and Associated Mechanisms

Nano silver's widespread use in daily life raises concerns about its toxicity, with potential for adjusting toxicity by changing size, surface functionalization, and combining with other materials.

Estimation of cumulative aquatic exposure and risk due to silver: contribution of nano-functionalized plastics and textiles.

Silver nanoparticles in biocidal plastics and textiles contribute to up to 15% of total silver released into water in the European Union, with potential risks to freshwater ecosystems, particularly sediments, but no risk for sewage treatment plant microbial communities.

Nano-silver – feasibility and challenges for human health risk assessment based on open literature

Nano-silver exposure in the workplace and consumer products may pose health risks, but current data gaps hinder definitive conclusions for regulatory decision-making.

The effects of nano-silver on the proliferation and cytokine expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Nano-silver has a cytotoxic effect on peripheral blood mononuclear cells and inhibits cytokine production, suggesting potential use in treating immunologic and inflammatory diseases.

Molecular toxicity mechanism of nanosilver

Nanosilver toxicity is primarily due to the release of Ag(+) from its surface, causing oxidative stress and damage to cellular components.

Mechanisms of silver nanoparticle-induced toxicity and important role of autophagy

Silver nanoparticles may cause cytotoxicity by interfering with ubiquitination, leading to defective autophagy and aggravated cytotoxic responses.

Evaluation of the toxic impact of silver nanoparticles on Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes).

Silver nanoparticles cause cellular damage and stress in Japanese medaka, while ionic silver induces inflammation and metallic detoxification processes, but has a lower overall stress response compared to silver nanoparticles.

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of silver nanoparticles in human cells.

Silver nanoparticles can cause mitochondrial damage and DNA damage in human cells, potentially affecting cancer therapy.

Assessing the environmental occurrence and risk of nano-silver in Hunan, China using probabilistic material flow modeling.

Nano-silver mainly ends up in sewage treatment plants and landfills in Hunan, China, but poses no significant risk to organisms in these environmental compartments.

Try another search