Short-term inhalation of cadmium oxide nanoparticles alters pulmonary dynamics associated with lung injury, inflammation, and repair in a mouse model.

Context: Cadmium oxide nanoparticles (CdO NPs) are employed in optoelectronic devices and as a starting material for generating quantum dots as well as for medical imaging and targeting of pharmaceutical agents to disease sites. However, there are lack of data concerning short- and long-term effects of CdO NPs on the lungs.

Objective: To determine the effects of inhaled CdO NPs at an occupationally relevant concentration on pulmonary injury and repair, and on systemic immunity in adult male mice.