AI Article Synopsis
- Copper is an important biocide used to protect wood, but some fungi have developed resistance to it, prompting the use of Cu-based nanoparticles (Cu-based NPs) for better efficacy against these fungi.
- While Cu-based NPs are potentially more effective in preventing wood decay, they can accumulate in Cu-tolerant fungi and their spores, which may pose risks to the environment and human health.
- This text examines the concerns related to the release of Cu-based NPs by these fungi, focusing on how they could affect human health through exposure pathways.
Article Abstract
Copper (Cu) is an essential biocide for wood protection, but fails to protect wood against Cu-tolerant wood-destroying fungi. Recently Cu particles (size range: 1 nm-25 μm) were introduced to the wood preservation market. The new generation of preservatives with Cu-based nanoparticles (Cu-based NPs) is reputedly more efficient against wood-destroying fungi than conventional formulations. Therefore, it has the potential to become one of the largest end uses for wood products worldwide. However, during decomposition of treated wood Cu-based NPs and/or their derivate may accumulate in the mycelium of Cu-tolerant fungi and end up in their spores that are dispersed into the environment. Inhaled Cu-loaded spores can cause harm and could become a potential risk for human health. We collected evidence and discuss the implications of the release of Cu-based NPs by wood-destroying fungi and highlight the exposure pathways and subsequent magnitude of health impact.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2015.02.018 | DOI Listing |
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