Ecotoxicity to Freshwater Organisms and Cytotoxicity of Nanomaterials: Are We Generating Sufficient Data for Their Risk Assessment?
Tatiana Andreani,
Verónica Nogueira,
Ana Gavina,
Saul Fernandes,
José Luís Rodrigues,
Vera V. Pinto,
Maria José Ferreira,
Amélia M. Silva,
Carlos M. Pereira,
Ruth Pereira
Affiliations
Tatiana Andreani
Centro de Investigação em Química da Universidade do Porto, CIQUP & Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
Verónica Nogueira
Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
Ana Gavina
GreenUPorto—Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre & Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
Saul Fernandes
GreenUPorto—Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre & Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
José Luís Rodrigues
Centro Tecnológico do Calçado de Portugal, Rua de Fundões—Devesa Velha, 3700-121 São João Madeira, Portugal
Vera V. Pinto
Centro Tecnológico do Calçado de Portugal, Rua de Fundões—Devesa Velha, 3700-121 São João Madeira, Portugal
Maria José Ferreira
Centro Tecnológico do Calçado de Portugal, Rua de Fundões—Devesa Velha, 3700-121 São João Madeira, Portugal
Amélia M. Silva
CITAB—Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, UTAD, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Carlos M. Pereira
Centro de Investigação em Química da Universidade do Porto, CIQUP & Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
Ruth Pereira
GreenUPorto—Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre & Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
The aim of the present study was to investigate the eco-cytotoxicity of several forms of nanomaterials (NM), such as nano-CuO, nano-TiO2, nano-SiO2 and nano-ZnO, on different aquatic species (Raphidocelis subcapitata, Daphnia magna and Lemna minor) following standard protocols and on human cell lines (Caco-2, SV-80, HepG2 and HaCaT). Predicted no-effect concentrations (PNEC) or hazard concentrations for 5% of the species (HC5) were also estimated based on the compilation of data available in the literature. Most of the NM agglomerated strongly in the selected culture media. For the ecotoxicity assays, nano-CuO and nano-ZnO even in particle agglomeration state were the most toxic NM to the freshwater organisms compared to nano-TiO2 and nano-SiO2. Nano-ZnO was the most toxic NM to R. subcapitata and D. magna, while nano-CuO was found to be very toxic to L. minor. Nano-CuO was very toxic to Caco-2 and HepG2 cells, particularly at the highest tested concentrations, while the other NM showed no toxicity to the different cell lines. The HC5 and PNEC values are still highly protective, due to data limitations. However, the present study provides consistent evidence of the potential risks of both nano-CuO and nano-ZnO against aquatic organisms and also their effects on public health.
