Xuying Wang

Human exposure to metal-containing products and particles, by skin contact, ingestion or inhalation paths, unavoidably occurs in daily life and during occupational activities, such as manufacture of metals and alloys. Knowledge on the extent of metal release is of highest concern in sensitive environments such as within the human body and upon skin contact, as it may induce allergic and toxic reactions. This needs to be considered in risk assessment and management. The focus of my doctoral project is to assess the correlation between biological environment, alloy surface properties, its corrosion resistance, and the release of metal species.

Our studies highlight the importance of surface properties of alloys and show that bioaccessible data rather than relative bulk alloy contents should be used to refine current hazard assessments and classifications of alloys within regulation in order to more realistically assess the behaviour of alloys at certain exposure conditions. In all, our knowledge will contribute to a better molecular understanding of the alloy and bio-solution interface of relevance for mimic human interactions.