Nanomaterial inhalation exposure from nanotechnology-based cosmetic powders: a quantitative assessment
Abstract
In this study we quantified exposures to airborne particles ranging from 14 nm to 20 μm due to the use of nanotechnology-based cosmetic powders. Three nanotechnology-based and three regular cosmetic powders were realistically applied to a mannequin's face while measuring the concentration and size distribution of inhaled aerosol particles. Using these data we calculated that the highest inhaled particle mass was in the coarse aerosol fraction (2.5-10 μm), while particles <100 nm made minimal contribution to the inhaled particle mass. For all powders, 85-93 % of aerosol deposition occurred in the head airways, while <10 % deposited in the alveolar and <5 % in the tracheobronchial regions. Electron microscopy data suggest that nanomaterials were likely distributed as agglomerates across the entire investigated aerosol size range (14 nm-20 μm). Thus, investigation of nanoparticle health effects should consider not only the alveolar region, but also other respiratory system regions where substantial nanomaterial deposition during the actual nanotechnology-based product use would occur.
- Publication:
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Journal of Nanoparticle Research
- Pub Date:
- November 2012
- DOI:
- 10.1007/s11051-012-1229-2
- Bibcode:
- 2012JNR....14.1229N
- Keywords:
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- Nanoaerosol;
- Consumer products;
- Nanoparticles;
- Personal exposure;
- Safety of nanotechnology