Scientists at the schools of science and medicine at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) are studying the impact of carbon nanoparticles on living cells.
The IUPUI researchers have studied exposure levels to carbon nanoparticles resulting from working with carbon nanoparticles, living close to a carbon nanoparticle manufacturing facility or improper disposal of computer monitor and television comprising carbon nanoparticles.
The study, reported in the Nanotoxicology journal, describes the impact caused by exposing the cells which line the renal nephron, a tubular part in the kidney to low-concentration carbon nanoparticles. Bonnie Blazer, one of the researchers, stated that the researchers discovered that leakage is caused by the nanoparticles in the renal nephron’s cellular lining. According to him, this leakage is a matter of concern since waste substances that need to be retained in the urine may leak back into the blood and biological substances in the blood may leak into the urine.
Frank Witzmann, another researcher, stated that biological barriers are significant to human health. Hence, it is important to study the change or modification in the characteristics of barriers caused by the carbon nanoparticles, he added. This research is part of the study that focuses on the impact of carbon nanoparticles on body barriers such as airways and the large intestine.
Witzmann further said the researchers need to extend the research on the appearance of carbon nanoparticles in different parts of the body, their impact on protein expression and their effect when they pass through a barrier or when they are expelled. The National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health financed the research.
Source: http://www.iupui.edu