Nanotoxicity: Dimensional and Morphological Concerns

Mohmmad Younus Wani,Mohd Ali Hashim,Firdosa Nabi,Maqsood Ahmad Malik

doi:10.1155/2011/450912

Mohmmad Younus Wani, Mohd Ali Hashim + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/450912

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Abstract

Nanotechnology deals with the construction of new materials, devices, and different technological systems with a wide range of potential applications at the atomic and molecular level. Nanomaterials have attracted great attention for numerous applications in chemical, biological, and industrial world because of their fascinating physicochemical properties. Nanomaterials and nanodevices are being produced intentionally, unintentionally, and manufactured or engineered by different methods and released into the environment without any safety test. Nantoxicity has become the subject of concern in nanoscience and nanotechnology because of the increasing toxic effects of nanomaterials on the living organisms. Nanomaterials can move freely as compared to the large-sized particles; therefore, they can be more toxic than bulky materials. This review article delineates the toxic effects of different types of nanomaterials on the living organisms through different sources, like water, air, contact with skin, and the methods of determinations of these toxic effects.

Highlights

Hundreds of researchers all over the world are engaged in delving deep into the field of nanotechnology
Nanoscience and nanotechnology promise for creating new materials with enhanced properties and potential applications [1, 2]
When murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) were treated with silica nanoparticles for 24 h with impurities of Al2O3, Fe2O3, and TiO2 less than 0.05%, 0.003%, and 0.03%, respectively, at 40 ppm (40 μg/mL), cell viability decreased to approximately 50% of control group and 50% cell viability in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) was obtained for 24-hours exposure at 80.2 ± 6.4 μg/mL for 20 nm and 140.3 ± 8.6 μg/mL for 50 nm silica nanoparticles, respectively, with no information about other contaminants; a significant difference in cytotoxicity was observed for the two sizes 20 nm and 50 nm [138]

Summary

Introduction

Hundreds of researchers all over the world are engaged in delving deep into the field of nanotechnology. Nanoscience and nanotechnology promise for creating new materials with enhanced properties and potential applications [1, 2] The properties of these various types of intentionally produced nanomaterials and nanoparticles enable potential application in commercial, medical, environmental sectors and so forth. The existing body of toxicological literature [10] suggests clearly that nanoparticles may have a greater risk of toxicity than larger particles. This body of evidence has been sufficient for the world’s oldest scientific organization to warn that we should not release consumer products containing nanomaterials until we have vastly improved requirements for safety testing [11]. While not all nanoparticles are toxic, the existing evidence indicates that nanoparticles pose greater risks of toxicity than larger-sized particles of the same substance

Evidence for Toxicity of Nanomaterials

Effects of Nanoparticles on Various Systems

Toxicity of Nanomaterials on Embryonic Cells

Methods to Access the Nanoparticle Toxicity

Findings

Conclusion