Increased urbanization and new infrastructure have generated the introduction of air pollutants into the environment. Clinical studies have shown that particulate matter (PM), a main component of air pollution, increases the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Nanoparticles (less than 100 nm), a main component of PM, can bypass lung blood-gas and blood-brain barrier allowing entrance into circulation and deposition into the brain, respectively. In model species, nanoparticles have been shown to detrimentally affect auditory physiology. They also have negative effects on the antipredator behavior of model organisms. We are specifically interested in the potentially harmful levels of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) because of their prevalence in the environment. Here we examined the impact of IONPs on the auditory physiology and antipredator behavior in house sparrows (Passer domesticus). House sparrows were chosen since they use acoustic communication (i.e. vocalizations) to send and receive signals, and because they also inhabit human infrastructure where air pollution is often found. The house sparrows are exposed to freshly synthesized IONPs using a nebulization protocol developed in our group. To examine the effect of IONPs on auditory physiology, the subjects were administered an auditory brainstem response test pre-and post-exposure. To examine the potential effects of hearing deficits on antipredatory behavior, we presented a predatory hawk call. The call was presented before and after exposure to IONPs. After acute exposure, and post exposure test, the sparrows are euthanized and organs are collected and digested to quantify the biodistribution of the nanoparticles. As predicted, our results show a decrease in auditory sensitivity post-IONP exposure. This is the first study that directly observes a diminishing of a sensory physiological function due to exposure to airborne nanoparticles. This work lays the groundwork for future studies to investigate the specific mechanisms of action IONPs may have on physiological functioning.

New canary in the coalmine: The house sparrow (<i>passer domesticus</i>) as a model for studying the effects of nanoparticulate matter in air pollution

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New canary in the coalmine: The house sparrow (passer domesticus) as a model for studying the effects of nanoparticulate matter in air pollution