Nanotoxicology toxic effects

Nanoparticles (NPs) are those with diameters of less than 100 nm (Inm = one billionth of a meter) in one dimension or less than 1000nm for aggregates and agglomerates. NPs are 100-10,000 times smaller than mammalian cells. Nanotoxicology addresses the toxic effects of NPs on living systans [1]. 

Nanotoxicology is a science in its infancy. As of this writing, it is known that NPs can be taken up by the human body via inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact, that it can reach the bloodstream and ultimately affect multiple body organs. It is difficult to predict the toxicity of NPs and little testing has as yet been carried out on these materials. The combination of NPs and other chemicals has received very little attention, but the small amount of research that has been done has demonstrated that such exposures can produce unanticipated effects. 

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