Silver nanoparticle effects on model vaginal microbiota

The study evaluated in vitro and in a rat exposure model some potential toxicity and microbiota effects of silver nanoparticles present in feminine hygiene products. Ionic silver, 30 nm silver nanoparticles, silver wires with one dimension in the nanoparticle size range, silver nanoparticles extracted from a feminine hygiene product, and the spermicide nonoxynol-9 were exposed to the experimental models to measure markers of toxicity, inflammation, microbiota perturbation, and tissue retention of the nanomaterials. The goal was to assess any health risks that could be associated with the use of nanoparticle-containing feminine hygiene products.