Nanotoxicology: A Threat to the Environment and to Mankind
Keywords:
Nanomaterials, characterization techniquesAbstract
Nanotoxicology represents a new and growing research area in toxicology. It deals with the assessment of the toxicological properties of nanoparticles (NPs) with the intention of determining whether (and to what extent)they pose an environmental or societal threat. Inherent properties of NPs (including size, shape, surface area, surface charge, crystal structure, coating, and solubility/dissolution) as well as environmental factors (such as temperature, pH, ionic strength, salinity, and organic matter) collectively influence NP behavior, fate and transport, and ultimately toxicity. The nanotoxicology researchers focused on the relationship between nanomaterial characteristics (size, shape, surface area etc.) and toxic responses (cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, inflammation etc.). This article aims to give a brief summary of what is known today about nanotoxicology.
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