Toxicological Consequences of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) and Their Jeopardy to Human Population

Samina Shabbir; Muhammad Fakhar-E-Alam Kulyar; Zeeshan Ahmad Bhutta; Prerona Boruah; Muhammad Asif

doi:10.1007/s12668-021-00836-3

Toxicological Consequences of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs) and Their Jeopardy to Human Population

Bionanoscience. 2021;11(2):621-632. doi: 10.1007/s12668-021-00836-3. Epub 2021 Jan 26.

Authors

Samina Shabbir¹, Muhammad Fakhar-E-Alam Kulyar², Zeeshan Ahmad Bhutta³, Prerona Boruah⁴, Muhammad Asif⁵

Affiliations

¹ Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, China.
² College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan, 430070 China.
³ The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, Scotland EH25 9RG UK.
⁴ Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.
⁵ Department of Surgery, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab 54000 Pakistan.

Abstract

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) are the most produced nanomaterial for food additives, pigments, photocatalysis, and personal care products. These nanomaterials are at the forefront of rapidly developing indispensable nanotechnology. In all these nanomaterials, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is the most common nanomaterial which is being synthesized for many years. These nanoparticles of TiO₂ are widely used at the commercial level, especially in cosmetic industries. High usage in such a way has increased the toxicological consequences of the human population. Several studies have shown that TiO₂ NPs accumulated after oral exposure or inhalation in the alimentary canal, lungs, heart, liver, spleen, cardiac muscle, and kidneys. Additionally, in mice and rats, they disturb glucose and lipid homeostasis. Moreover, TiO₂ nanoparticles primarily cause adverse reactions by inducing oxidative stress that leads to cell damage, inflammation, genotoxicity, and adverse immune responses. The form and level of destruction are strongly based on the physical and chemical properties of TiO₂ nanoparticles, which administer their reactivity and bioavailability. Studies give indications that TiO₂ NPs cause both DNA strand breaks and chromosomal damages. The effects of genotoxicity do not depend only on particle surface changes, size, and exposure route, but also relies on the duration of exposure. Most of these effects may be because of a very high dose of TiO₂ NPs. Despite increased production and use, epidemiological data for TiO₂ NPs is still missing. This review discusses previous research regarding the impact of TiO₂ NP toxicity on human health and highlights areas that require further understanding in concern of jeopardy to the human population. This review is important to point out areas where extensive research is needed; thus, their possible impact on individual health should be investigated in more details.

Keywords: Jeopardy; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; TiO2; Titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

Publication types

Review