Evaluating the Toxicity of Airborne Particulate Matter and Nanoparticles by Measuring Oxidative Stress Potential—A Workshop Report and Consensus Statement

TLDR

There is a strong need for laboratory in vitro test systems to assess the toxicity of airborne particulate matter and nanoparticles, and measuring oxidative stress potential is a promising approach that requires comparison across standardized samples and correlation with epidemiological data. The workshop was convened to review existing test methods and develop a consensus statement. Participants summarized their research and discussed the relative merits of different in vitro test methods. In vitro test methods, particularly cell‑based challenges, play an important role in toxicity screening and offer significant cost advantages over animal studies, though acellular systems also have a major role.

Abstract

Background: There is a strong need for laboratory in vitro test systems for the toxicity of airborne particulate matter and nanoparticles. The measurement of oxidative stress potential offers a promising way forward. Objectives:Aworkshop was convened involving leading workers from the field in order to review the available test methods and to generate a Consensus Statement. Discussions: Workshop participants summarised their own research activities as well as discussion the relative merits of different test methods. Conclusions: In vitro test methods have an important role to play in the screening of toxicity in airborne particulate matter and nanoparticles. In vitro cell challenges were preferable to in vitro acellular systems but both have a potential major role to play and offer large cost advantages relative to human or animal inhalation studies and animal in vivo installation experiments. There remains a need to compare tests one with another on standardised samples and also to establish a correlation with the results of population-based epidemiology.