Deriving a provisional tolerable intake for intravenous exposure to silver nanoparticles released from medical devices.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are incorporated into medical devices for their anti-microbial characteristics. The potential exposure and toxicity of AgNPs is unknown due to varying physicochemical particle properties and lack of toxicological data. The aim of this safety assessment is to derive a provisional tolerable intake (pTI) value for AgNPs released from blood-contacting medical devices.

Global assessment of cadmium concentrations in the skin of free-ranging sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus).

Cadmium is a non-essential, toxic metal found accumulated in the organs of stranded cetaceans. Currently, there is no baseline cadmium concentration reported in a free-ranging, pelagic cetacean. The aim was to determine cadmium concentrations in the skin of free-ranging sperm whales (n=340) collected from 16 regions around the world during the voyage of the Odyssey (2000-2005) considering region, gender, and age in males.

Global assessment of arsenic pollution using sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) as an emerging aquatic model organism.

Arsenic is an oceanic pollutant of global concern due to its toxicity, ability to bioaccumulate and continued input into the environment by anthropogenic activities. The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is an emerging aquatic model for both human disease and ocean health having global distribution and high trophic level. The aim of this study was to establish global and regional baselines of total arsenic concentrations using free-ranging sperm whales.

Global assessment of oceanic lead pollution using sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) as an indicator species.

Lead (Pb) is an oceanic pollutant of global concern. Anthropogenic activities are increasing oceanic levels, but to an unknown extent. The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) has a global distribution and high trophic level.

Global mercury and selenium concentrations in skin from free-ranging sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus).

Pollution of the ocean by mercury (Hg) is a global concern. Hg persists, bioaccumulates and is toxic putting high trophic consumers at risk. The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), is a sentinel of ocean health due to its wide distribution, longevity and high trophic level.

Role of the Fancg gene in protecting cells from particulate chromate-induced chromosome instability.

Particulate hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a known human lung carcinogen. Cr(VI)-induced tumors exhibit chromosome instability (CIN), but the mechanisms underlying these effects are unknown. We investigated a possible role for the Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway in particulate Cr(VI)-induced chromosomal damage by focusing on the Fancg gene, which plays an important role in cellular resistance to DNA interstrand crosslinks.