Manufactured Nanomaterials: The Connection Between Environmental Fate and Toxicity

Abstract

The intensive development of nanotechnology, evidenced by the enormous number of nanoproducts, has resulted in nanomaterials being released into the environment, their occurrence affecting the functioning of ecosystems. The presence of nanoparticles in the environment brings threats to living organism connected with the exposure to the harmful activity of nanomaterials. The toxicity of nanomaterials may be considered from a number of perspectives, starting from the DNA level, and ending with the reaction of the entire organism. The biological response of organisms depends not only on the primary characteristics of nanomaterials and those acquired in the process of functionalization, but also on environmental conditions (pH, ionic strength, natural organic matter). These environmental conditions then determine the course of the processes of aggregation and adsorption. The toxicity of nanomaterials may be rectified by means of the individual predispositions of organisms (e.g., tolerance to the activity of specific compounds). Nanomaterials’ synergy with and hostility to other compounds extant in the environment are also of significance. This work provides a review of the current literature concerning knowledge on the fate of nanomaterials in the environment with particular attention given to their toxic impact on organisms.