Environmental applications and recent innovations in single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS)

Abstract

The accumulation of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) will increase as more applications are discovered for their unique properties and characteristics. Additionally, the presence of nanomaterials in the environment becomes exacerbated as more consumer products containing nanoparticles are approved for use. Some examples of nano-enabled products include cosmetics, plastic packaging, clothing, textiles, and paints. Once exposed to natural environmental settings, a variety of transformations may occur leading to agglomeration, dissolution, or secondary particle formation. It is debated whether the toxic effects of nanoparticles stem from the particles themselves, ionic species, or formation of secondary particles. Therefore, understanding the behavior of nanoparticles in the environment, such as their permeability into biological tissues, becomes key to understanding the toxicological effects of nanoparticles. Many advancements have been made with ICP-MS to understand the behavior of nanoparticles in the environment and in biological systems, as well as analysis of nanomaterials in complex matrices. The development of single particle inductively coupled mass spectroscopy (SP-ICP-MS) has been imperative to understanding nanoparticle behavior in environmental and biological matrices. Additionally, the modification of the various sample introduction systems and mass analyzers has been constantly ongoing, which has further developed the applications and utility of SP-ICP-MS.