Particle toxicology

Description
Project manager: Hanna Karlsson
In our projects, we investigate toxic effects, underlying mechanisms, and potential health risks associated with a wide range of particles. Our work includes particles containing metals in the form of engineered nanoparticles as well as those generated during processes such as 3D printing and welding. We also study microplastics and particles formed through tire wear, along with those found in environments such as airports and subway systems. A key focus of our research is to understand how different particle properties – for example, their size – can influence biological effects. We also work on modelling how particles behave in the lung and on studying exposure in so‑called air‑liquid interface systems.
An essential part of our research is the development and evaluation of various cell models, with the aim of deepening the understanding of particle‑related health effects while at the same time providing alternatives to animal testing. The research field spans both fundamental questions about interactions between materials and biological systems and applied studies designed to provide scientific evidence for authorities and policymakers.
Selected publications
- Kuhn J, Vallabani NVS, Montes AM, Juárez-Facio AT, Introna M, Steimer SS, Patel A, Manem DB, Tsyupa B, Mancini A, Olofsson U, Elihn K, Karlsson HL (2025). Unraveling toxicity of nanoparticles from different subway materials in lung epithelial cells and macrophages. Environ Res. 2025 Feb 3;271:121027. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121027.Karlsson HL, Vallabani NVS, Wang X, Assenhöj M, Ljunggren S, Karlsson H, Odnevall I (2023). Health hazards of particles in additive manufacturing: a cross-disciplinary study on reactivity, toxicity and occupational exposure to two nickel-based alloys. Sci Rep. 13(1):20846. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-47884-1.McCarrick S, Midander K, Krausová M, Carlander U, Karlsson HL (2021). Gold Nanoparticles Dissolve Extracellularly in the Presence of Human Macrophages. Int J Nanomedicine. 26;16:5895-5908. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S314643. eCollection 2021
- McCarrick S, Romanovski V, Wei Z, Westin EM, Persson KA, Trydell K, Wagner R, Odnevall I, Hedberg YS, Karlsson HL (2021). Genotoxicity and inflammatory potential of stainless steel welding fume particles: an in vitro study on standard vs Cr(VI)-reduced flux-cored wires and the role of released metals. Arch Toxicol. Sep;95(9):2961-2975.
- Vallabani NVS, Gruzieva O, Elihn K, Juárez-Facio AT, Steimer SS, Kuhn J, Silvergren S, Portugal J, Piña B, Olofsson U, Johansson C, Karlsson HL (2023). Toxicity and health effects of ultrafine particles: Towards an understanding of the relative impacts of different transport modes. Environ Res.15;231(Pt 2):116186. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116186.
- Introna M, Juárez-Facio AT, Srikanth Vallabani NV, Tu MH, Heikkilä P, Colombo A, Liboni V, Tsyupa B, Mancini A, Keskinen J, Olofsson U, Steimer SS, Karlsson HL, Elihn K (2025). Toxicity of real-world PM2.5 road tunnel emissions using a mobile air-liquid interface system and submerged exposure. Environ Pollut. Aug 15;379:126486. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126486.