Toxicological status of nanoparticles: What we know and what we don't know

Abstract

The field of nanotechnology has grown exponentially during the last few decades, due in part to the use of nanoparticles in many manufacturing processes, as well as their potential as clinical agents for treatment of diseases and for drug delivery. This has created several new avenues by which humans can be exposed to nanoparticles. Unfortunately, investigations assessing the toxicological impacts of nanoparticles (i.e. nanotoxicity), as well as their possible risks to human health and the environment, have not kept pace with the rapid rise in their use. This has created a gap-in-knowledge and a substantial need for more research. Studies are needed to help complete our understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity of nanoparticles, as well as the mechanisms mediating their distribution and accumulation in cells and tissues and their elimination from the body. This review summarizes our knowledge on nanoparticles, including their various applications, routes of exposure, their potential toxicity and risks to human health.

Keywords: Cell death; Drug delivery; Nanoparticles; Nanotoxicology; Toxicology.

Fig. 1.

Exposure routes of nanoparticles and their associated toxicological effects.

Fig. 2.

Mechanisms of cellular toxicity of nanoparticles.