Nanotechnology Report: Detailed Analysis of Acticoat Hazards and Risks

This report provides a detailed analysis of the hazards associated with Acticoat, an antimicrobial wound dressing containing silver nanoparticles. It examines the potential health effects, including skin and eye irritation, and the risks associated with exposure, such as argyrosis and potential kidney damage. The report also discusses the environmental impact of Acticoat, highlighting the toxicity of silver nanoparticles to aquatic life and the risks associated with incineration and waste disposal. It references material safety data sheets and research studies to support its findings. The report emphasizes the importance of protective measures, such as wearing gloves and eye protection, and the need for proper disposal methods to minimize environmental and health risks. It concludes by summarizing the risks to human health due to occupational exposure and use of products having silver nanoparticles as an ingredient.

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Hazards associated with Acticoat
Hazard classification
Non-hazardous substance
Classification of the substance
Eye Dam. 1;H318 Aquatic Chronic 1;H410
Nature of hazards
The potential health effects of Acticoat, present in antimicrobial dressings, are well-
documented. The primary entry route is skin contact. The target organs are not yet identified in
the literature. The acute effects are however well understood. In sensitized individuals, there is
temporary discolouration that might lead to irritation and rashes in the affected areas.
Antimicrobial wound dressings containing Acticoat when used for patients must not be exposed
to conductive gels at the time of electronic measurements. Examples of electronic measurements
include EEG or ECG. Further, the substance is not to be used for patients who are undergoing
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) examinations. Since the material contains silver material,
some individuals might be suffering from possible sensitizations (smith-nephew.com, 2011).
Acticoat has been associated with serious eye damage in individuals. Corneal irritation
might occur due to mechanical abrasion. In case of eye irritation, the individual suffers flush
eyes and has flowing water from the eyes. Skin irritation results as an allergic reaction due to the
silver content of the dressing. Medical attention is to be taken when the event irritation persists
or aggravates. Ingestion of the dressing containing Acticoat might lead to a choking hazard.
Further, internal blockage might also occur. In such cases, medical attention is to be sought. The

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chronic effects are also to be considered for individuals coming in contact with the substance.
Chronic or excessive exposure to silver through skin contact, inhalation or ingestion might lead
to Argyrosis. Argyrosis refers to the generalized or local discolouration of the skin, mucous
membrane and skin. In these areas, blue or grey patches are formed due to pigmentation.
However, the medical conditions are not aggravated by exposure. Though research is still not
concluding, there is evidence that argyria can be a contributing factor for the decrement in the
functioning of the kidney. Moreover, individuals might suffer from night vision. The underlying
reason can be damage suffered to the rods in the eyes, due to exposure to silver particles in the
ocular region. One must be avoiding the release of the particle to the environment. It is advisable
that individuals wear protective gloves, face protection and eye protection for preventing serious
damage to the eyes. If the particle enters eyes, one must be continuously rinsing with water for a
long time. In case contact lens is present they are to be removed. The physician is to be called for
assistance. Any spillage occurring because of the chemical is to be collected adequately (smith-
nephew.com, 2018).
The silver particle might become airborne easily when the size and mass are small. When
inhaled, the silver particles might go deeper into the lungs and reach the sensitive areas. In these
areas, there is an inflammation caused due to body’s reaction against the foreign particle.
Further, the particles might enter the skin through broken areas and cuts or wounds as these give
rise to direct absorption of nanoparticles into the blood stream. Ingestion can occur when there is
hand to mouth transfer of the particles in individuals. When exposed to aquatic life, the effects
are toxic, and the fact that the effects are long lasting makes the situation worse. The exposure of
marine animals to the silver particles has been noted to affect invertebrates, prokaryotes, and
fishes.

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Risks associated with Acticoat
According to NUCRYST, the makers of SilCryst technology in Acticoat wound
dressings, there are no serious risks to human health. No serious side effects or actions have been
reported due to the active ingredients when clinical trials were done. In addition, the non-serious
side effects were of low incidence. However, researchers working with NIOSH have evaluated
the technical knowledge gaps identified in health risks for silver nanoparticles for addressing
results of animal studies. The reports indicate that the silver nanoparticles are capable of having
an adverse effect on the kidney, lung and liver functioning. For the above reason, the risks to
human health due to occupational exposure and use of products having silver nanoparticles as an
ingredient is highly uncertain (smith-nephew.com, 2009).
The disposal of OSHA regulated medical waste is chemically decontaminated, or
incinerated, as per the OSHA guidelines. Such medical wastes include wound dressings, blood
and tissue. The process of incineration has the potential to release the silver nanoparticles
embedded in Acticoat wound dressings into the environment. The result is environmental
exposure and consecutive ecological and human health risks. A large number of in vivo studies
highlight that silver nanoparticles are highly toxic when ingested by individuals through
environmental exposure. The organs that are mostly at risk of suffering damage include liver,
reproductive organ, vascular system, brain and skin. It is interesting to note that the particle can
induce genes that have a role in cell cycle progression, DNA apoptosis and damage in human
cells when the dose is non-cytotoxic. In addition, toxicity studies point out the negative impact
on the brain is detrimental. The silver nanoparticle might be cytotoxic for the macrophage cells
and the lung cells of the body. Instillation and inhalation experiments point out that these

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particles are taken up by the macrophages after which the aggregated particles can be preserved
for seven days (Nogi et al., 2012).
The risk of explosion when large quantities of the Acticoat are burning is less.
Individuals must be wearing self-contained breathing apparatus when there is burning of the
product. The subsidiary risks associated with transport of the material are not applicable.
Evidence highlights that adverse responses of microorganisms and plants to even low
doses of silver nanoparticles present in substances such as Acticoat are noteworthy. Tons of solid
wastes can be accumulated in the environment when there is consideration waste deposition after
use of Acticoat containing wound dressings. This attributes to be an understudied and important
route of exposure of natural ecosystem to these nanoparticles that are engineered (Alarcon et al.,
2015). Studies further highlight that silver nanoparticles cause negative impacts at the
ecosystem-level. Speaking in a more precise manner, these nanoparticles contribute to a
considerable augmentation of nitrous oxide fluxes, changes in biomass, microbial community
composition and extra-cellular enzyme activity. All these have a negative and direct impact on
aboveground vegetation.

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References
Alarcon, E.I., Griffith, M. and Udekwu, K.I., 2015. Silver Nanoparticle Applications (pp. 2098-
2101). New York, NY, USA:: Springer.
Material safety data sheet acticoat product range. (2018). Smith-nephew.com. Retrieved 27
February 2018, from http://www.smith-nephew.com/global/assets/pdf/products/msds/2-
msdsacticoatproductrange.pdf
Material Safety Data Sheet Acticoat. (2009). Smith-nephew.com. Retrieved 27 February 2018,
from https://www.smith-nephew.com/global/assets/pdf/products/wound/004-
msds_us_acticoat_flex_3_and_7_msdsum01044.pdf
Nogi. K., Masuo. H., Naito. M,. & Yokoyama. T. (2012). Nanoparticle Technology
Handbook. Elsivier.
Safety Data Sheet Acticoat (with SILCRYST Nanocrystals) 7 Dressing. (2018). Smith-
nephew.com. Retrieved 27 February 2018, from
https://www.smith-nephew.com/global/assets/pdf/products/wound/us/msdsum00547%20
acticoat%207%20with%20silcryst%20nanocrystals%20dressing.pdf