Nanomaterials including ZnO NPs and silica based nanomaterials can enter the body through different routes via intraperitonial, intravenous, intradermal, subcutaneous, oral or by inhalation. After entering inside the body, NPs can cause pulmonary toxicity (Kaewamatawong et al., 2006; Jacobsen et al., 2015), hepatotoxicity (Mansouri et al., 2015; Watson et al., 2015), immunotoxicity (Kim et al., 2014), neurotoxicity (Karmakar et al., 2014), renal toxicity (Ben-Slama et al., 2015; Chen et al., 2015) and reprotoxicity (Xu et al., 2014). Due to their nanosize range, nanoparticles can cross the blood-testis and blood-brain barrier, and also have the trans-placental ability (De Jong et al., 2008; Lankveld et al., 2010). After crossing the …show more content…
No deaths occurred in the offsprings exposed in utero with 50 or 100 mg/kg BW of ZnO NPs, 100 mg/kg BW of bulk ZnO or even for a high 250 mg/kg BW of MSN. Developing foetuses are more sensitive to the environmental toxins than the adults and it has been reported that many chemical toxins in the air, water and food can induce pregnancy complications (Korenet al., 1998; Tardiff et al., 2006; Wigle et al., 2008). In the current study and very importantly no change in the number of litters was observed for any of the nanomaterials tested and that too at any concentrations. Therefore we can safely say that ZnO NPs, bulk ZnO or very high MSN exposure did not affect the live birth rate compared with the control. However, miscarriages were observed in the pregnant mice treated with only a single dose of 300 mg/kg BW of ZnO NPs, and we did not get any live offsprings in this group. Dysfunction of the placenta is related with the miscarriage and fetal growth restriction (Gasperowicz and Otto, 2008). Our results are indicating that ZnO NPs at higher dose (300 mg/kg BW) can cause adverse effects on the developing fetus, and may cause placental dysfunction (Table 1). In the present study, gross macroscopic changes were observed in the ZnO NPs exposed offsprings when compared with the control. No change in the body weights was observed in both treated and non-treated mother mice. Increased testicular weight in the 100 mg/kg BW of ZnO NPs
Study of toxic materials and how they affect the environment, human and animal health and future technology
TCDD is a dioxin that can be produced through diesel exhaust, burning waste, and chemical manufacturing. In recent years, many have argued that exposure to this chemical can cause serious illnesses. Studies on animals have shown that TCDD is one of the most poisonous chemicals out there. The animal testing has been found to be especially toxic to developing babies in the womb. A pregnant rat given a dose of less than one part per billion (which is comparable to a single drop in 14,000 gallons of water) will cause female sexual characteristics in a male embryo. Doses of 100 parts per billion in rodents and fish have been proven to cause birth defects such as cleft palates, malfunctioning kidneys, heart problems, and weak bones (Schmidt). Animal studies have proven that small doses of TCDD can be severely detrimental to one’s
Pregnancy is a very difficult time in a women’s life, everything that is digested, breathed, and felt affects the fetus. Teratogens are factors that cause developmental problems of an embryo. These factors include stress; toxin such as drug and cigarette use, the health and even the age of the mother can have an impact on the development of the fetus. Teratogen can cause birth defect that may lead to life long consequences to the child. I am very passionate about this topic due to the alarming increase of birth defects and abnormalities that have been occurring during my generation. In America one in every thirty-three babies are born with a defect
They could potentially cause serious disorders or diseases in the long run. Also what would happen if too many chemicals where given, or too few? The baby may not develop fully or develop with disorders.
Air pollution can be undoubtedly harmful to pregnancy. Substances such as carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, benzene, emissions from solid biomass, and nitroarenes all contribute to air pollution. Studies done in North Carolina, California, and East India all conclude the same thing; air pollutants do affect the health of babies during pregnancy. The most severe affects from these toxins include cancer, short-and-long-term morbidity, and stillbirth. Still damaging, yet less traumatizing effects include low birth weight, small for gestational age, and preterm birth. PM2.5 is particulate matter in the air. One study shows it reduces birth weight by 3.1 g (Gray, 2013). Because most of air
When a woman finds out she is going to have a baby, it should be the most exciting times in her life. However, there may be many teratogens that interfere with the pregnancy and may cause future issues for the child. A teratogen “is any agent that can potentially cause a birth defect or negatively alter cognitive and behavioral outcomes” (Stantrock, page 63).
During recent years, numerous newspaper and magazine articles have suggested that humans may be at risk because small amounts of well known environmental contaminants, such as dioxin, PCBs and DDT, can affect hormone levels. Hormones are produced by the endocrine system as regulators of biological function in target organs. Because hormones play a critical role in early development, toxicological effects on the endocrine system often have an impact on the reproductive system. The term endocrine disruptor is used to describe chemicals that can mimic hormones and may either enhance or counteract their effects. It has been suggested that these hormone changes can, in turn, lead to a variety of health problems
Reproductive system: If xylene is inhaled by a pregnant woman, it can reach the fetus and contaminate her breast
Short term effects may include experiencing sleepiness, headaches, and dizziness. But when one gets exposed to large amounts in a short period of time, TCE and PCE may be the cause of coma that can eventually lead to death.When exposed to even larger and higher levels of TCE and PCE, people may face severe problems in such areas including vision, hearing, heart issues, kidney problems and liver damage. Rashes also develop when people come in contact to these materials with their skins. Studies that involve exposure of TCE and PCE to animals also shows that harmful effects on the “nervous system, liver, respiratory system, kidneys, blood, immune system, heart, and body weight”
Yet, the disturbing fact about it all is that over 90% have never been tested for safety, and the ones that have been researched, have been found to contain harmful elements which lead to birth defects, genetic mutation, and cancer.
There are many factors that can interfere with a fetus’s development, causing birth defects or learning disorders. These factors are teratogens, environmental agents that have the potential to disrupt development and cause disabilities in the developing baby (Martorell et al., 2013). Perhaps the most common teratogens are drugs and viruses, and while some of these teratogens may affect some fetuses, others may not be affected as severely (Martorell et al., 2013). However, since the mother does not know the extent of how the teratogen can negatively affect her baby, she should avoid contact with a teratogen.
Not every birth in this world is perfect, unfortunately. One out of every 33 babies born in the United States has some form of birth abnormality according to the CDC. Sometimes mutations and birth defects can occur. Of course, no mother would ever want a child with a birth defect. So how do these birth defects and problems occur? Basically anything a mother does to her body will also have a direct effect on the developing fetus inside. Simply put it, a teratogen is defined as “any agent that can potentially cause a birth defect or negatively alter cognitive and behavioral outcomes.” (Santrock, 2013). The effects of teratogens may vary from child to child, but it will always have a dramatic impact on the family in most situations. Birth defects
Understanding the effects of radiation in utero is an important area of research. Expectant mothers may require examinations involving exposure to radiation to diagnose or treat a medical condition (Nguyen & Goodman, 2012). Radiologists are exposed to radiation each day at work, which is particularly concerning when health professionals become pregnant. In utero development involves massive proliferation and organization of new cells. Ionizing radiation pulls electrons away from atoms and can be particularly harmful for humans in utero (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014; “Ionizing Radiation”, n.d.). Studies designed to determine the effects of radiation are crucial to helping mothers protect themselves as well
Ongoing research: Currently, I am involved in various projects dealing with exposures to particulate mater and more specifically exposure to Engineered Nanomaterials (ENMs): 1) assessment of the potential toxicological implications with in-vitro and in-vivo toxicological studies, and 2) developing
Nanotechnology has been fast expanding in the past decade. This field comprises of technologies that largely involve materials of sizes ranging from 1 to 100 nm. These minute materials may display distinct characteristics as compared to the same material of a larger form. Due to the smaller size, altered shape, arrangement, or increased surface area, these nanomaterials may exhibit unique properties like enhanced strength, flexibility, reactivity, or improved electrical conductivity and absorption.1 As advanced nano-materials are produced and commercialized for extensive use in research areas like electronics, materials science engineering, and biomedical applications, there is also an increasing need to develop an effective environmental health and safety (EHS) risk management system for nanoscale particles. Therefore, an accurate determination of EHS risks of nanomaterials could be achieved by understanding nanoparticle interaction with other systems as well as integrating nanomaterials hazard and exposure datasets.