
Risks associated with copper and copper oxide nanoparticles

News
+ Info sheets
Agenda
By the AVICENN team – Last modification March 2021
Risks associated with copper and copper oxide nanoparticles
Copper and copper oxide nanoparticles are used for their antibacterial and antifungal properties.
What about environmental and health risks?
Data are still very patchy, but caution is necessary due to their possible accumulation in certain organs – notably the liver and spleen – as well as potential mutagenic/genotoxic and immunotoxic/nephrotoxic effects1See Opinion on Copper (nano) and Colloidal Copper (nano), Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), March 2021.
Bibliography
Explore the bibliography below to learn more:
Bibliography Nanocopper and Risks
- In French :
- Understanding the cytotoxicity of metallic nanoparticles, CNRS, March 11, 2021
- Antibacterial effects of copper, copper oxide and iron oxide nanoparticles, Myriam Talantikit, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, École polytechnique de Montréal, 2014
- In English:
- Ecotoxicity of as-synthesized copper nanoparticles on soil bacteria, IET Nanobiotechnology, Sharma P et al, March 2021
- Opinion on Copper (nano) and Colloidal Copper (nano), Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), March 2021
- Exposure to copper oxide nanoparticles triggers oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-induced toxicology and apoptosis in male rat liver and BRL-3A cell, Liu H et al, Journal of hazardous materials, 421, 2021
- ZnO and CuO nanoparticles: a threat to soil organisms, plants, and human health, Rajput V et al, Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 42: 147-158, 2020
- Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) chemosensory detection of and reactions to copper nanoparticles and copper ions, Razmara P et al, Environmental Pollution, 260, May 2020
- Epigenetic effects of (nano)materials in environmental species – Cu case study in Enchytraeus crypticus, Bicho RC et al, Environment International, 136, March 2020
- Copper Nanoparticles Mitigate the Growth, Immunity, and Oxidation Resistance in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio), Dawoo M et al, Biological Trace Element Research, 5 February 2020
- Effects of copper oxide nanoparticles on the Chlorella algae in the presence of humic acid, Fathi P et al, SN Applied Sciences, 1 January 2020
- Copper nanoparticles induce zebrafish intestinal defects via endoplasmic reticulum and oxidative stress, Zhao G. et al, Royal society of chemistry, 28 November 2019
- Assessment of Cu and CuO nanoparticle ecological responses using laboratory small-scale microcosms, Fan Wu, Bryan J. Harper, Lauren E. Crandon, Stacey L. Harper, Royal society of chemistry, 20 November 2019
- Effects of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) on Parturition Time, Survival Rate and Reproductive Success of Guppy Fish, Poecilia reticulata, Mohammad Forouhar Vajargah et al, Journal of Cluster Science, 7 September 2019
- Interaction of copper-based nanoparticles to soil, terrestrial, and aquatic systems: critical review of the state of the science and future perspectives, Rajput V et al, Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 252: 51-96, 2019
Any questions or comments? This information sheet compiled by AVICENN is intended to be completed and updated. Please feel free to contribute.
Other news on the topic
Our information sheets to go further
Upcoming Nano Agenda
22
Sep.
2025

Innovative Research Paths in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (Advanced Nano 2025, Krakow – Poland)
Krakow
Conference
- International Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology and Nano Materials
- September 22 & 23, 2025
- Website: https://advnanotech.authorsequity.org
29
Sep.
2025
15th Meeting on Nanoscience Advances (MNA 2025) (C’Nano, Porquerolles Island – France)
Porquerolles island
Conference
- 15th Meeting on Nanoscience Advances (MNA 2025)
- Organized by: C’Nano (CNRS), Aix-Marseille University
- Dates: from September 29th to October 2nd
- Website: https://cnano-paca.fr/conf/mna2025/index.html
30
Sep.
2025
Nanomaterials: Best practices in nanomaterials risk prevention: awareness-raising and laboratory scenarios (CNRS, Paris – France)
Paris
Training
- Training for nanomaterial handlers (technicians, engineers, PhD students, researchers, etc.) and prevention assistants
- Organizers: CNRS
- Objectives: learn about the risks involved in handling nanomaterials and the prevention and protection measures to be implemented, as well as best practices for limiting exposure.
- Topics covered:
- Health effects / Risk assessment
- Preventive measures / Good laboratory practice / Time and space management / Collective and individual protection / Cleaning methods for surfaces, materials and equipment / Product storage / Product management
- Hands-on workshops:
- Implementing best practices when handling nanometric powders / Case studies / Assessment & recommendations
- Case studies: risk analysis and recommendations
- Examples of workstation design involving nanomaterials
- Website: https://formation.ifsem.cnrs.fr/training/1027/4426
This file was originally created in May 2020
Notes and references
- 1See Opinion on Copper (nano) and Colloidal Copper (nano), Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), March 2021