Nanotoxicology: A review

Abstract

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 mechanisms underlying the toxicity of nanomaterials (NMs) have recently been studied extensively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) toxicity represents one such mechanism. An overproduction of ROS induces oxidative stress, resulting in inability of the cells to maintain normal physiological redoxregulated functions. In the context of this book, this chapter includes topics pertaining to chemical and physical properties of NMs and characterization for proper toxicological evaluation, exposure, and environmental fate and transport, and ecological and genotoxic effects. This chapter reviews the available research pertaining specifically to NMs in the aquatic environment (in plants, aquatic invertebrates, and fish) and their use in biomarker studies.