Synthetic amorphous silica nanoparticles: toxicity, biomedical and Tsai, P.-H. et al. Colloids Surf. Calvert GM, Rice FL, Boiano JM, Sheehy JW, Sanderson WT. Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. As a miner, construction worker, or oil & gas engineer you might be handling seriously heavy machinery and equipment day in and day out, so a little bit of dust may seem trivial. Mater. Top-Down Preparation of Nanoquartz for Toxicological Investigations. Adv. Health hazards due to the inhalation of amorphous silica Health Perspect. 26, 61746180 (2014). Up to 150 mg/m3: (APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter. Sign up for the Nature Briefing: Cancer newsletter what matters in cancer research, free to your inbox weekly. In vivo lighted fluorescence via Fenton reaction: approach for imaging of hydrogen peroxide in living systems. Evaluation of silica nanoparticle toxicity after topical exposure for 90 days. Geochim. J. Int. Open Access Jiao, Y., Sun, Y., Tang, X., Ren, Q. & Zhong, G. Tissular localization and excretion of intravenously administered silica nanoparticles of different sizes. Up to 60 mg/m3: (APF = 10) Any particulate respirator equipped with an N95, R95, or P95 filter (including N95, R95, and P95 filtering facepieces) except quarter-mask respirators. Thomas, C. R. et al. 2016, 9676934 (2016). EWG Skin Deep | What is SILICA, AMORPHOUS The chances of developing these diseases increase with higher and longer durations of exposure. Mol. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. Colloids Surf. Brinker, C. J., Kirkpatrick, R. J., Tallant, D. R., Bunker, B. C. & Montez, B. NMR confirmation of strained defects in amorphous silica. This chapter uses these different names interchangeably to represent all noncrystalline . ACS Nano 13, 56235634 (2019). Dual-stimuli responsive nanotheranostics for multimodal imaging guided trimodal synergistic therapy. Chem. & Khashab, N. M. Degradability and clearance of silicon, organosilica, silsesquioxane, silica mixed oxide, and mesoporous silica nanoparticles. 19 April 2023, NPG Asia Materials J. J. Napierska, D., Thomassen, L. C. J., Lison, D., Martens, J. Athinarayanan, J., Periasamy, V. S., Alsaif, M. A., Al-Warthan, A. Technol. Doxorubicin-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticle composite nanofibers for long-term adjustments of tumor apoptosis. This can be done by: No matter what country, what task, or what workplace there is a duty of care for employers and workers to ensure that health and safety standards are implemented and upheld. RSC Adv. Garbuzenko, O. [Note: Amorphous silica is the non-crystalline form of SiO, Fluorine, oxygen difluoride, chlorine trifluoride, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Castillo, R. R. et al. 42, 20312037 (2016). Srivastava, P. et al. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and occupational exposure to silica. & Tamanoi, F. Biocompatibility, biodistribution and drug-delivery efficiency of mesoporous silica nanoparticles for cancer therapy in animals. 8, 147158 (2013). Silica dust is very fine, much smaller than a tiny grain of sand found on a beach. Invest. Stber, W., Fink, A. Hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles conjugated with pH-sensitive amphiphilic diblock polymer for controlled drug release. 7, 39 (2010). Inagaki, S. et al. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients. & Zink, J. I. Toxicology of silica nanoparticles: an update. One of the dangerous effects of silica exposure is a disease called silicosis, which can be contracted after just a few months of high exposure. Ed. 47, 85728610 (2018). Huang, P. et al. Kasaai, M. R. Nanosized particles of silica and its derivatives for applications in various branches of food and nutrition sectors. Correa, S., Boehnke, N., Deiss-Yehiely, E. & Hammond, P. T. Solution conditions tune and optimize loading of therapeutic polyelectrolytes into layer-by-layer functionalized liposomes. Xiao, X. et al. This ingredients score is higher if used in products that are inhalable (e.g., sprays, powders) because of respiratory concerns. 44, 903913 (2011). Mater. Biodegradable, pH-sensitive hollow mesoporous organosilica nanoparticle (HMON) with controlled release of pirfenidone and ultrasound-target-microbubble-destruction (UTMD) for pancreatic cancer treatment. Hsiao, I. L. et al. 15, 22492256 (2015). Chem. Sutunkova, M. P. et al. Nano Lett. Healthc. Hu, J.-J. A zinc phthalocyanine based periodic mesoporous organosilica exhibiting charge transfer to fullerenes. Chem. 7, 5498654994 (2017). 11, 4455 (2014). ACS Appl. Med. & Mou, C.-Y. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. What is Silica and Why is it Dangerous? - Concentra In other European countries, the Chemical Agents Directive is the main source of legal requirements. Wei, Y. et al. Zhao, Y. et al. Angew. 119, 48814985 (2019). Food Chem. Sci. Wang, T., Liu, Y. Fatieiev, Y. et al. acknowledges support by the Laboratory Directed Research & Development program at Sandia National Laboratories. Mater. Silica, Some Silicates, Coal Dust and Para-Aramid Fibrils Vol. Interfaces 9, 4440244409 (2017). Mater. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles in drug delivery and biomedical applications. Nano Today 8, 290312 (2013). [Note: Amorphous silica is the non-crystalline form of SiO 2 .] ACS Appl. Chem. Clinical translation of an ultrasmall inorganic optical-PET imaging nanoparticle probe. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. Enzyme-responsive snap-top covered silica nanocontainers. Soc. Rev Environ Health. The following filters may also be used: N99, R99, P99, N100, R100, P100. Chem. The Skin Deep scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern. Suresh, B. & Park, K. Oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory responses induced by silica nanoparticles in vivo and in vitro. J. Chem. Mater. Sci. Rev. Get what matters in cancer research, free to your inbox weekly. Powder Technol. Engineering intrinsically zirconium-89 radiolabeled self-destructing mesoporous silica nanostructures for in vivo biodistribution and tumor targeting studies. Protect Your Health. Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. The shape effect of mesoporous silica nanoparticles on biodistribution, clearance, and biocompatibility in vivo. Single and repeated dose toxicity of mesoporous hollow silica nanoparticles in intravenously exposed mice. Nanodiamond-PMO for two-photon PDT and drug delivery. Fibre Toxicol. Synthesis, characterization, and biodistribution of multiple 89Zr-labeled pore-expanded mesoporous silica nanoparticles for PET. Silica, Amorphous (Fume)is a fine, white powder. Benezra, M. et al. Yang, D. et al. Solid polymer electrolyte based on ionic bond or covalent bond functionalized silica nanoparticles. Mesoporous nanocarriers with a stimulus-responsive cyclodextrin gatekeeper for targeting tumor hypoxia. ACS Appl. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution. Lu, J., Choi, E., Tamanoi, F. & Zink, J. I. Light-activated nanoimpeller-controlled drug release in cancer cells. This high-risk exposure is a result of certain job tasks, including: If your employees are at risk of crystalline silica exposure, its essential that you follow the regulatory standards required by OSHA. Over 500 construction workers are believed to die from exposure to silica dust every year. Lee, S. et al. Li, H. et al. Functionalized hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles for tumor vasculature targeting and PET image-guided drug delivery. Nanoscale 8, 1251012519 (2016). Res. 105, 23812385 (2016). The major problem in the assessment of health effects of amorphous silica is its contamination with crystalline silica. Rev. Adv. The most at risk to develop these diseases are miners, construction workers, and oil & gas engineers that are often performing the tasks or processes that release the dangerous respirable crystalline silica dust. Hah, H. J., Kim, J. S., Jeon, B. J., Koo, S. M. & Lee, Y. E. Simple preparation of monodisperse hollow silica particles without using templates. Control. Chem. Chem. 13, 11761182 (2016). 33, 664674 (2016). Amorphous silica (diatomaceous earth) is composed of the skeletons of prehistoric plants known as diatoms. Chen, N.-T. et al. Nat. 44, 119 (2016). Mater. Croissant, J. G., Fatieiev, Y. Noncombustible Solid Sci. J. However, the revised IDLH for amorphous silica is 3,000 mg/m3 based on being 500 times the NIOSH REL of 6 mg/m3 (500 is an assigned protection factor for respirators and was used arbitrarily during the Standards Completion Program for deciding when the "most protective" respirators should be used for particulates). Biomaterials 31, 55645574 (2010). Further work is necessary in order to define the effects of amorphous silica on morbidity and mortality of workers with exposure to these substances. In certain countries including Britain, it is the employers legal responsibility to carry out risk assessments where there is exposure to silica and to implement effective control measures where required. 16, 422436 (2019). Invest. Nat Rev Mater 5, 886909 (2020). Drug Deliv. Interfaces 9, 2223522251 (2017). Nanoscale 8, 1994519972 (2016). Sci. Mater. Meng, H. et al. Basis for original (SCP) IDLH: The available toxicological data contain no evidence that an acute exposure to a high concentration of amorphous silica would impede escape or cause any irreversible health effects within 30 minutes. Chem. Abd-Elrahman, A. Synthetic amorphous silica nanoparticles: toxicity, biomedical and environmental implications. 6, 1700720 (2017). Croissant, J. G., Catton, X., Wong Chi Man, M., Durand, J. O. Biswas, N. Modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles for enhancing oral bioavailability and antihypertensive activity of poorly water soluble valsartan. Self-regulated carboxyphenylboronic acid-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles with touch switch releasing property for insulin delivery. . Biomaterials 35, 36503665 (2014). Targeting inflammasome by the inhibition of caspase-1 activity using capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Epidemiological studies do not support the hypothesis that amorphous silicas have any relevant potential to induce fibrosis in workers with high occupational exposure to these substances, although one study disclosed four cases with silicosis among subjects exposed to apparently non-contaminated amorphous silica. Chen, Y. et al. Chem. Current OSHA PEL: 20 mppcf TWA; 80 mg/m3/%SiO2 TWA. These very fine particles of the crystalline silica are now released into the air becoming respirable dust. Park, E.-J. Where is it found in nature? Am. Credi, A., Balzani, V., Langford, S. J. Combinatorial nanocarrier based drug delivery approach for amalgamation of anti-tumor agents in breast cancer cells: an improved nanomedicine strategy. Nel, A. E. et al. 26, 6269 (1968). Hernandez, R., Tseng, H.-R., Wong, J. W., Stoddart, J. F. & Zink, J. I. Sci. Nat. the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in J. Non-Cryst. Chem. Mesoporous silica nanoparticle delivery of chemically modified siRNA against TWIST1 leads to reduced tumor burden. A new family of mesoporous molecular-sieves prepared with liquid-crystal templates. Mater. Lu, J. et al. Reversing cancer multidrug resistance in xenograft models via orchestrating multiple actions of functional mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Biomaterials 34, 76627673 (2013). Various Forms of Silicon Electronic Waste and Predisposition to Cancer. Mesoporous silica nanoparticle nanocarriers: biofunctionality and biocompatibility. Miller, L. et al. Sci. Toxicol. 41, 36793698 (2012). Protein-gold clusters-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles for high drug loading, autonomous gemcitabine/doxorubicin co-delivery, and in-vivo tumor imaging. Dis. Zhang, H. et al. Chem. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Wang, W. et al. A positive feedback strategy for enhanced chemotherapy based on ROS-triggered self-accelerating drug release nanosystem. Jimenez, C. M. et al. Theranostics 9, 60026018 (2019). In situ deposition of a personalized nanofibrous dressing via a handy electrospinning device for skin wound care. Chem. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted This is what makes it so easy to inhale. Stimulation of in vivo antitumor immunity with hollow mesoporous silica nanospheres. B 3, 64566461 (2015). Rev. J. 89, 248258 (2015). Chem. Sci. Concentra HUB provides employers, workers compensation payors, and third-party administrators (TPAs) quick access to account information and visit results through a single automated system. Transl. Ternary-responsive drug delivery with activatable dual mode contrast-enhanced in vivo imaging. Sun, B., Zhou, G. & Zhang, H. Synthesis, functionalization, and applications of morphology-controllable silica-based nanostructures: a review. Theranostics 7, 523537 (2017). Soc. 152, 1624 (2012). Thank you for visiting nature.com. Mater. eCollection 2022 Dec 1. Basis for revised IDLH: The available toxicological data contain no evidence that an acute exposure to a high concentration of amorphous silica would impede escape or cause any irreversible health effects within 30 minutes. Durfee, P. N. et al. ACS Nano 11, 41334144 (2017). Adv. Concentra can provide the tools you need to meet these standards, like respirator fit tests that we offer at all our centers nationwide. Silica is also present during many common construction tasks such as excavating, mining, quarrying, and tunnelling. Bellomo C, Pavan C, Fiore G, Escolano-Casado G, Mino L, Turci F. Int J Mol Sci. Aspect ratio determines the quantity of mesoporous silica nanoparticle uptake by a small GTPase-dependent macropinocytosis mechanism. 100C 355-397 (International Agency for Research on Cancer, 2012). Cancer Biol. Silica, amorphous May 1994 Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentrations (IDLH) CAS number: 7631-86-9 NIOSH REL: 6 mg/m 3 TWA Current OSHA PEL: 20 mppcf TWA; 80 mg/m 3 /%SiO 2 TWA 1989 OSHA PEL: 6 mg/m 3 TWA 1993-1994 ACGIH TLV: 10 mg/m 3 TWA Description of substance: Transparent to gray, odorless powder. Pharm. Highly emissive dye-sensitized upconversion nanostructure for dual-photosensitizer photodynamic therapy and bioimaging. Hollow structure improved anti-cancer immunity of mesoporous silica nanospheres in vivo. Chen, F. et al. Nat. Chem. Nanotoxicology 5, 393405 (2011). Tarn, D. et al. 24, 681691 (2017). J. Manganese extraction strategy enables tumor-sensitive biodegradability and theranostics of nanoparticles. US Patent US3,383,172A (1968). Mol. Chem. Am. Chem. Small 4, 421426 (2008). Nat. J. Biomater. It comes in two forms; hazardous crystalline, or non-hazardous amorphous. Enhanced blood suspensibility and laser-activated tumor-specific drug release of theranostic mesoporous silica nanoparticles by functionalizing with erythrocyte membranes. Oh, N. & Park, J. H. Endocytosis and exocytosis of nanoparticles in mammalian cells. J. Goel, S. et al. J. Am. Soc. This causes the molecules within a given material to have no alignment or arrangement. 14, 923932 (2014). Am. Small 11, 19621974 (2015). Amorphous silica occurs when molten silicon dioxide (SiO2) is rapidly cooled, causing the molecules to have no alignment or arrangement and therefore it does not crystallize, but solidifies as a glass. Nat. Lowering carbon footprint and operational cost, What Is Silica Dust & Why Is It So Dangerous. EWG is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, EIN 52-2148600. 110, 591600 (1986). Commun. Facile synthesis of gold nanospheres modified by positively charged mesoporous silica, loaded with near-infrared fluorescent dye, for in vivo X-ray computed tomography and fluorescence dual mode imaging. pH-sensitive delivery vehicle based on folic acid-conjugated polydopamine-modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapy. J. 9, 4141 (2018). Nat. evidence in humans that amorphous silica and SAS cause cancer, so amorphous silica has not been classified as causing cancer in humans (Group 3). Interfaces 10, 3194731958 (2018). The main symptoms of silicosis are: The typical exposures to silica in the building and construction industry are required by law to be limited to a maximum exposure of 0.1mg/m3 with many countries restricting it further to 0.05mg/m3 or as low as 0.025 in some states of Canada. contracts here. In-depth Lee, J. et al. 126, 33703371 (2004). Argyo, C., Weiss, V., Bruchle, C. & Bein, T. Multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles as a universal platform for drug delivery. Silica is the most common constituent of sand. Croissant, J. et al. Crystalline silica and silicosis | Safe Work Australia Nanoscale 7, 80038015 (2015). 31, 2335 (2016). 31 March 2023, Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals, Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription, Receive 12 digital issues and online access to articles, Get just this article for as long as you need it, Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout. 9, 4551 (2018). 4, 803813 (2016). LEL: . AEROSIL - Fumed Silica Technical Overview (Evonik Industries, 2015). Aerosol droplet delivery of mesoporous silica nanoparticles: a strategy for respiratory-based therapeutics. These synthetic forms may be classified as (1) wet process silica, (2) pyrogenic ("thermal" or "fumed") silica, and (3) chemically or physically modified silica. Schlegel, M. L., Nagy, K. L., Fenter, P. & Sturchio, N. C. Structures of quartz (100)- and (101)-water interfaces determined by x-ray reflectivity and atomic force microscopy of natural growth surfaces. Mixed periodic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles and coreshell systems, application to in vitro two-photon imaging, therapy, and drug delivery. Angew. Zheng, H., Wen, S., Zhang, Y. Biomaterials 37, 260270 (2015). J. Nanomed. Controlled release hydrogen sulfide delivery system based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles protects graft endothelium from ischemiareperfusion injury. & Gould, A. P. Early-life exposure to low-dose oxidants can increase longevity via microbiome remodelling in Drosophila. Release 163, 4654 (2012). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles In vitro and in vivo evaluation of puerarin-loaded PEGylated mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Guo, C. et al. Chia, S., Cao, J., Stoddart, J. F. & Zink, J. I. Natural silica and silicates are predominantly crystalline and constitute the most abundant components of the Earths crust. Chou, C.-C., Chen, W., Hung, Y. 51, 74037411 (2017). & Yang, W. Tumor-targeting multifunctional rattle-type theranostic nanoparticles for MRI/NIRF bimodal imaging and delivery of hydrophobic drugs. Pavan, C. & Fubini, B. Unveiling the variability of quartz hazard in light of recent toxicological findings. 9, 5163 (2014). Commun. ACS Nano 5, 44344447 (2011). Chick chorioallantoic membrane assay as an in vivo model to study the effect of nanoparticle-based anticancer drugs in ovarian cancer. Gemcitabine delivery and photodynamic therapy in cancer cells via porphyrin-ethylene-based periodic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles. 4, 16451652 (2015). Croissant, J. G., Fatieiev, Y., Almalik, A. An XOR gate based on a molecular machine. Animal or human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH. Respirable crystalline silica dust is one such killer - and with more than 2 million workers being exposed to silica dust every year in the workplace it is vital that everyone involved understands the risks and what can be done to prevent irreparable harm. Croissant, J. G. et al. 236, 926936 (2018). Butler, K. S. et al. Biomaterials 32, 16571668 (2011). 117, 1356613638 (2017). Asefa, T., MacLachlan, M. J., Coombs, N. & Ozin, G. A. Vallyathan, V., Shi, X. Goel, S. et al. Programmed packaging of mesoporous silica nanocarriers for matrix metalloprotease 2-triggered tumor targeting and release. Interfaces 8, 2663026637 (2016). Biomaterials 66, 4152 (2015). Fine silica, typically used in industrial applications and inhaled by workers, is associated with a wide range of disorders, particularly affecting the lungs and respiratory system. Raman, N. K., Anderson, M. T. & Brinker, C. J. Template-based approaches to the preparation of amorphous, nanoporous silicas. Soc. Would you like email updates of new search results? Nano Lett. J. Nanotechnol. Prog. and JavaScript. 507, 95106 (2017). Chen, W., Glackin, C. A., Horwitz, M. A. Duan, F. et al. Nano Lett. We talk you through what the difference is, and how cement is manufactured. Nature 558, 577580 (2018). A mesoporous silica nanosphere-based carrier system with chemically removable CdS nanoparticle caps for stimuli-responsive controlled release of neurotransmitters and drug molecules. Int. 13, 32 (2016). Healthc. Chem. Overall Evaluations of Carcinogenicity to Humans, as evaluated in IARC Monographs Volumes 1-99 (a total of 935 agents, mixtures and exposures). J. Leong, H. S. et al. Outwith these physical controls, all employees should also receive the correct training and be given information on the possible risks of crystalline silica exposure, the control measures and how to use them, and any requirements for health surveillance. 2003, 17121713 (2003). In cosmetics for skin use, regular sand presents little, if any risk to people. EWG Skin Deep | What is SILICA, AMORPHOUS Establishing the effects of mesoporous silica nanoparticle properties on in vivo disposition using imaging-based pharmacokinetics. Silicon J. Biomaterials 63, 115127 (2015). Nanoscale 9, 69016909 (2017). Chem. Adv. J. Mater. C.J.B. And it is crystalline silica that causes all the trouble. Toxicol. Man-made silica is typically amorphous and manufactured in tonnage . Once the very fine silica dust particles are breathed in they go deep into the lung where it is attacked by the immune system. 26, 435451 (2014). Photoresponsive nanovehicle for two independent wavelength light-triggered sequential release of P-gp shRNA and doxorubicin to optimize and enhance synergistic therapy of multidrug-resistant cancer. 79, 319327 (2016). 19, 57375743 (2009). Chen, W.-H. et al. There is no study that allows the classification of amorphous silica with regard to its carcinogenicity in humans. Am. J. Vallet-Regi, M., Ramila, A., Del Real, R. & Prez-Pariente, J. 2008. & Turteltaub, K. W. Determining the pharmacokinetics and long-term biodistribution of SiO2 nanoparticles in vivo using accelerator mass spectrometry. In this work, the knowledge on toxicity of amorphous silica nanostructures and suitable regulations are reviewed. Zhan, J. et al. Bookshelf J. Pharm. Porous porphyrin-based organosilica nanoparticles for NIR two-photon photodynamic therapy and gene delivery in zebrafish. ACS Appl. Wang, L., Huo, M., Chen, Y. Metalloporphyrin-encapsulated biodegradable nanosystems for highly efficient magnetic resonance imaging-guided sonodynamic cancer therapy. Soc. Interfaces 9, 17371745 (2017). Natural silica and silicates are predominantly crystalline and constitute the most abundant components of the Earth's crust. He, Y., Zeng, B., Liang, S., Long, M. & Xu, H. Synthesis of pH-responsive biodegradable mesoporous silicacalcium phosphate hybrid nanoparticles as a high potential drug carrier. Nanoscale 8, 1230712317 (2016). Nanotechnol. Hyaluronic acid conjugated nanoparticle delivery of siRNA against TWIST reduces tumor burden and enhances sensitivity to cisplatin in ovarian cancer. Chem. Open Access To obtain Irinotecan delivery by lipid-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles shows improved efficacy and safety over liposomes for pancreatic cancer. Silicon. The common length of time for silicosis to develop when being exposed regularly is between 10 and 20 years. 2006. Morry, J. et al. Adv. Biphase stratification approach to three-dimensional dendritic biodegradable mesoporous silica nanospheres. Google Scholar. Wu, M. et al. Sin. 109, 753770 (2017). There is no study that allows the classification of amorphous silica with regard to its carcinogenicity in humans. Zhang, X. et al. Desai, D. et al. Chem. Biomaterials 37, 447455 (2015). ACS Appl. Interfaces 11, 1980819818 (2019). Generic synthesis of small-sized hollow mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles for oxygen-independent X-ray-activated synergistic therapy. J. Nanomed. To get scientific about it silica is a chemical compound formed from silicon and oxygen atoms. Small 5, 5762 (2009). Presence and risks of nanosilica in food products. This work was supported in part by the U.S. National Institutes of Health under contract number 1 R01 CA226537-01. J. Spatiotemporal control of coacervate formation within liposomes. Magnetic and pH dual-responsive mesoporous silica nanocomposites for effective and low-toxic photodynamic therapy. Nature 416, 304307 (2002). Control. 70, 159163 (2000). From moving materials and collecting dust in the cement & steel manufacturing process or providingclean air to mines. One of the dangerous effects of silica exposure is a disease called silicosis, which can be contracted after just a few months of high exposure. Mesoporous silica-based versatile theranostic nanoplatform constructed by layer-by-layer assembly for excellent photodynamic/chemo therapy. Crystalline silica has been classified as a human lung carcinogen, and can cause serious lung disease and lung cancer. CDC twenty four seven. Croissant, J. et al. Ecol. 121, 27682780 (2011). 11, 299313 (2016). 30, 89100 (2014). Yang, B., Chen, Y. ACS Appl. NPG Asia Mater. Silica and titanium dioxide nanoparticles cause pregnancy complications in mice. Simple synthesis of functionalized superparamagnetic magnetite/silica core/shell nanoparticles and their application as magnetically separable high-performance biocatalysts. Brinker, C. J. Biofunctionalized polymer-lipid supported mesoporous silica nanoparticles for release of chemotherapeutics in multidrug resistant cancer cells. Grodzinski, P., Kircher, M., Goldberg, M. & Gabizon, A. Zhang, J., Guo, S., Zhang, W., Niu, D. & Gong, J. Large-pore mesoporous silica nanospheres as vehicles for delivering TRAF3-shRNA plasmids to Kupffer cells. Silica gel is an amorphous and porous form of silicon dioxide (silica), consisting of an irregular tridimensional framework of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms with nanometer-scale voids and pores.The voids may contain water or some other liquids, or may be filled by gas or vacuum.In the last case, the material is properly called silica xerogel. Ed. Sci. 46, 792801 (2013). B., Chen, A. M. & Minko, T. Innovative strategy for treatment of lung cancer: targeted nanotechnology-based inhalation co-delivery of anticancer drugs and siRNA.