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Table 2 Recommendations on material characterization

From: Principles for characterizing the potential human health effects from exposure to nanomaterials: elements of a screening strategy

Characterization (Off-line)

Human exposure

Toxicity Screening Studies

  

Supplied material

Administered material

Material in vivo / in vitro

Size distribution (primary particles)

E (Combine with agglomeration state)

E

D

D

Shape

E

E

O

O

Surface area

D

E

D

O

Composition

E

E

O

O

Surface chemistry

D

E

D

D/O

Surface contamination

D

N

D

N

Surface charge – suspension/solution

O

E

E

O

Surface charge – powder (use bio fluid surrogate)

O

E

N

O

Crystal structure

O

E

O

O

Particle physicochemical structure

E

E

D

D

Agglomeration state

E

N

E

D

Porosity

D

D

N

N

Method of production

E

E

--

--

Preparation process

--

--

E

--

Heterogeneity

D

E

E

D

Prior storage of material

E

E

E

--

Concentration

E

--

E

D

  1. E: These characterizations are considered to be essential.
  2. D: These characterizations are considered to provide valuable information, but are not recommended as essential due to constraints associated with complexity, cost and availability.
  3. O: These characterizations are considered to provide valuable but non-essential information.
  4. N: These characterizations are not considered to be of significant value to screening studies.
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Particle and Fibre Toxicology

ISSN: 1743-8977

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