Nanotoxicology—The Toxicology of Nanomaterials

Abstract

Nanotoxicology is a new and fast‐growing discipline that deals with the interaction between engineered nanostructures and biological systems. Because of their size, these materials have unusual physicochemical properties that make them different from bulk materials of the same chemical composition. However, the same properties that make these materials very attractive in a range of technological applications, also raise concern about adverse effects in biological systems. Today, a limited amount of data is available on possible effects on man and the environment. Nanomaterials (NMs) are currently available in a wide variety of compositions, and traditional approaches of toxicity testing are often not directly applicable. Studies so far, both in vivo and in vitro, indicate that these materials have the potential to cause adverse effects. As both the production volume and application range of NMs expands rapidly there is an urgent need to develop adequate toxicity testing and evaluation of these products.