Pulmonary Deposition and Translocation of Nanomaterials
Project Information
| Principal Investigator | Robert Mercer |
| Institution | National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health |
| Project URL | View |
| Relevance to Implications | High |
| Class of Nanomaterial | Engineered Nanomaterials |
| Impact Sector | Human Health |
| Broad Research Categories |
Exposure Generation, Dispersion, Transformation etc. |
| NNI identifier | b4-10 |
Funding Information
| Country | USA |
| Anticipated Total Funding | $900,000.00 |
| Annual Funding | $300,000.00 |
| Funding Source | NIOSH |
| Funding Mechanism | |
| Funding Sector | |
| Start Year | 2004 |
| Anticipated End Year | 2007 |
Abstract/Summary
Recent years have seen an exponential growth in the development and production of nanomaterials. These materials have unique physical, chemical, and electrical properties due to specially forged arrangements of atoms on a nanometer scale that do not occur in natural systems. Because of the unique properties and small size of nanoparticles, issues have been raised as to their potential adverse effects on the lung upon inhalation and whether they can translocate to systemic sites. This project will identify where in the lungs inhaled nanomaterials might deposit, the health risks that might arise from nanomaterial deposition, and to what extent the nanomaterials might translocate to other organs of the body after depositing in the lungs. Results of this study will address critical issues identified by the NIOSH Nanotechnology Research Center and assist in hazard identification and risk assessment.
(Project budget is an estimate only, based on available data)
