Nanotoxicology

AbstractNanotechnology has become one of the leading technologies in the past two decades due to its unique applications in many areas. However, the health effects of nanomaterials have caused people great concerns, mainly due to the small particle sizes and unique properties of the nanomaterials. The large specific surface areas of the nanomaterials make them very reactive in the cellular environment, and may impose very different biological effects than those of the bulk materials. Consequently, the levels of toxicity of nanomaterials are potentially higher than those of bulk materials. A large amount of research, bothin vitroandin vivo, has been conducted and the data have shown that several types of nanomaterials are highly toxic. This chapter mainly summarizes the work being done in the area of nanotoxicology and the proper ways to carry out nanotoxicology studies to assure that valid data can be obtained, including characterization of nanomaterials, proposed mechanisms of nanomaterials, types of biomarkers and analytical techniques that were used to assess the levels of nanotoxicity, and experimental design forin vitroandin vivonanotoxicology studies. In conclusion, this chapter serves as a short version of a handbook to assist nanotoxicology researchers in experimental designs, assessment, and data evaluations.