Nms contain nanoparticles where different nanomaterials are used in products used for clothing, shoes, hygiene- and cosmetics, sports equipment, sunscreens and in more advanced products used in medicine.
Nanomaterials are manufactured by various chemical or technical methods, in order to produce the desired characteristics. These characteristics may be of concern from a working environment and health point of view.
This fact, along with the increased manufacture and use of NM, have created an increasing interest for investigation of the health effects of exposure to these particles.
It is of great importance to study possible harmful health effects of nanoparticles, especially in working environments where workers may be exposed to high doses of particles.
Many of the nanoparticles in powder form become easily airborne and thus form a potential health risk for workers, and those handling particles in their working environment.
Aim:
The main goal is to develop tests for regulatory use. The few animal tests and/or cell experiments that have been carried out, suggest that NM may have negative health effects, such as effects on pulmonary or cardiovascular systems.
Mechanistic studies show that basic biological mechanisms, such as oxidative stress are central. We will use cells in culture to examine if multi-walled carbon nanotubes can lead to changes in human lung cells. These changes are important in developing pulmonary health effects such as cancer. Furthermore the molecular mechanisms will be surveyed by studying effects of carbon nanotubes on genes regulating the inflammatory-, stress- and cancer-developing signal pathways.
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Link to the project page in Norwegian, for contact information, etc.