Impacts of manufactured nanomaterials on human health and the environment

Another aspect of Grassian group work on nanomaterials involves their impact on the human health (Nanotoxicity). In particular, collaboration with colleagues in Public Health (Professors Thorne, O’Shaughnessy and Peters within the EHSRC) is aimed at better understanding the potential health effects of manufactured nanomaterials should they become suspended in air. These inhalation studies are also conducted with thoroughly characterized samples purchase from several different sources. There is additional characterization once the aerosol has been generated to determine if the particles aggregate or retain the size distribution determined prior to aerosol generation. It is expected that these studies will help answer questions as to the potential impact of manufactured nanomaterial aerosol on human health as there is clearly a lack of information in this regard. Additionally, along with the colleagues in Public Health (Professors Peters), methods to measure and evaluate airborne nanoparticle concentrations, characterize nanoparticles and determine the collection efficiency of commonly used respirator filters when challenged with nanoparticles are being developed. These studies are expected to assist with assessment methods for nanoparticles in the workplace.