US EPA

1071924 

Journal Article 

Review 

Toxicity of nanomaterials 

Sharifi, S; Behzadi, S; Laurent, S; Forrest, ML; Stroeve, P; Mahmoudi, M 

2012 

Yes 

Chemical Society Reviews
ISSN: 0306-0012
EISSN: 1460-4744 

41 

6 

2323-2343 

English 

22170510 

10.1039/C1CS15188F 

WOS:000300797700018 

http://xlink.rsc.org/?DOI=C1CS15188F
Exit
 

Nanoscience has matured significantly during the last decade as it has transitioned from bench top science to alied technology. Presently, nanomaterials are used in a wide variety of commercial products such as electronic components, sports equipment, sun creams and biomedical applications. There are few studies of the long-term consequences of nanoparticles on human health, but governmental agencies, including the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and Japan's Ministry of Health, have recently raised the question of whether seemingly innocuous materials such as carbon-based nanotubes should be treated with the same caution afforded known carcinogens such as asbestos. Since nanomaterials are increasing a part of everyday consumer products, manufacturing processes, and medical products, it is imperative that both workers and end-users be protected from inhalation of potentially toxic NPs. It also suggests that NPs may need to be sequestered into products so that the NPs are not released into the atmosphere during the product's life or during recycling. Further, non-inhalation routes of NP absorption, including dermal and medical injectables, must be studied in order to understand possible toxic effects. Fewer studies to date have addressed whether the body can eventually eliminate nanomaterials to prevent particle build-up in tissues or organs. This critical review discusses the biophysicochemical properties of various nanomaterials with emphasis on currently available toxicology data and methodologies for evaluating nanoparticle toxicity (286 references). 

article; absorption; asbestos; breathing; carcinogens; human health; manufacturing; nanoparticles; nanotubes; occupational health and safety; products and commodities; recycling; sports equipment; tissues; toxicity; toxicology