Researchers from South Korea have published an evaluation of the health risks related to silver nanoparticles, concluding that the substance acts as a weak skin sensitiser.
The scientists evaluated the genotoxicity, acute oral and dermal toxicity, eye and dermal irritation and corrosion, and skin sensitisation of the nanoparticles according to OECD test guidelines and good laboratory practice (GLP).
They found no evidence of genotoxicity, although some cytotoxicity was observed. In acute oral and dermal toxicity tests using rats, none of the rats showed any abnormal signs or mortality even at high dose levels. Acute eye and dermal irritation and corrosion tests using rabbits revealed no significant clinical signs or mortality and no acute irritation or corrosion reaction for the eyes and skin.
In a skin sensitisation test using guinea pigs, one animal out of 20 tested showed signs of the skin condition erythema, leading the researchers to conclude that silver nanoparticles can be classified as a weak skin sensitiser.
The evaluation is published in the journal Nanotechnology.
Fonte: ChemicalWatch
