Researchers from Ural Federal University have demonstrated that iron oxide nanoparticles, commonly present in polluted air, can be toxic to the central nervous system even at very low exposure levels. This finding was disclosed to socialbites.ca under the Priority-2030 program led by the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
The investigation involved laboratory rats that received injections of suspensions containing iron oxide particles. Subsequent analyses focused on functional and structural brain changes. The results showed altered behavior in the animals, including a notable decrease in overall motor activity. Scientists observed multiple axons in brain regions where exposure to both the nanoparticles and damaged myelin sheaths had occurred. An increased number of mitochondria displaying pathological changes was also detected in brain cells.
“These observations reveal clear signs of neurotoxicity from iron nanoparticles at ultrastructural and subcellular levels,” stated Ilzira Minigalieva, PhD in Biological Sciences and Principal Investigator of the Laboratory of Stochastic Transport of Nanoparticles in a Living Organism, in an interview with Gazeta. ru. The findings suggest that even minimal doses could pose risks to humans since the particles may migrate directly toward the brain via the olfactory pathway, entering through the nasal cavity and advancing along the olfactory tract to various brain structures. Such exposure is plausible in metallurgical workplaces where airborne iron compounds are generated during material processing and product manufacture.
Normally the human and animal bodies contain iron mostly in a protein-bound form, not as free cations. Iron oxide nanoparticles become toxic largely due to their distinctive shape and nanoscale size, which facilitate interactions with cellular components. These particles are frequently detected in air there, particularly in metallurgical settings during different stages of ore processing, alloy formation, and finished product handling.
The researchers emphasize that nanoparticles can infiltrate the brain and distribute unevenly across different regions, a pattern that warrants deeper study. Future work should map distribution tendencies and identify the factors that govern them, including physical properties such as exposure dose, duration, and the route by which exposure occurs. Pinpointing these variables will help clarify why certain brain regions are more affected and how exposure scenarios translate into risk.
In the meantime, the work underscores a pressing need for enhanced protective measures for workers in the metallurgical sector. Implementing stricter air quality controls, personal protective equipment, and monitoring protocols could reduce the neurological exposure risk associated with iron oxide nanoparticles in industrial environments.