ASSESSMENT OF BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF CONCENTRATE OF NANOSTRUCTURES BASED ON SILICON DIOXIDE

Abstract

Safety assessment of new nanostructured treatments and substances requires special attention from producers during synthesis and technological cycle and from the medical staff examining the persons contacting them. Toxicity studies should be conducted before the beginning of their use, in order not to allow producing of nanopreparations with detrimental effects on human health. In the current economic climate, use of wastes from the production of metal silicon is promising. The article deals with the safety problems resulting from contact with wastes from the production of metal silicon. Concentrate of nanostructures based on silicon dioxide contained separate 1 μm nanoparticles and agglomerates from 1 to 45 ßm has been investigated. This concentrate is a perspective additive to increase sustainability properties of building materials. The objective of the research was to examine biological properties of siliceous dust administered to rats through various routes. Acute toxicity, species and sexual sensitivity after oral administration of the concentrate of nanostructures in mice and rats of both sexes, acute skin irritation from a single exposure were studied. The concentrate of nanostructures based on silicon dioxide can be classified in V category of hazard based on acute oral toxicity by classic toxicological methods (DL50 > 2000 mg/kg, no sexual and specific sensitivity). It produces slight irritating effect in acute dermal toxicity test that will disappear completely within 16 hours of exposure.

Keywords

• silicon dioxide
• nanostructures
• laboratory animals
• toxicity