Nanotoxicology an Emerging Tool Used for the Toxicity of Nanomaterials.

Abstract

Nanotoxicology is a branch of Bio-Nano-science which deals with the study and application of toxicity of nanomaterials.  Nanotoxicology is the study of the toxicity of nanomaterial because of quantam  size effects and large surface area to volume ratio, nanomaterials have unique properties  compared with their larger counter parts.  Increases in nanotechnological applications for industrial, consumer and medical uses promise many benefits, yet at the same time they have generated serious concerns about potential health and environmental risks from exposure to  engineered nanoscale materials. Such concerns stimulated research in the emerging field of nanotoxicology, resulting in a steadily increasing number of publications suggesting that engineered nanomaterials because of their specific physicochemical properties can induce significant toxic responses. Although most of the nanotoxicological studies were performed using unrealistic exposure conditions, they have led to a widespread perception that generically all nanomaterials pose a significant health risk. Such perception is in great part based on exaggerated reporting in the popular press, resulting in a  Nanotoxicity-Hype Correlation. Knowledge about potential human and environmental exposure combined with dose response toxicity information will be necessary to determine real or perceived risks of nanomaterials following inhalation, oral or dermal routes of exposure.