ABSTRACT
It is important to first note that there are many types of ENMs-not all are alike or a potential hazard, and the possibility of exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) shed by ENMs is a major factor. The next step is to undertake a whole of life cycle analysis to determine if there are any “hotspots” of potential exposure to shed NPs. From this one can identify who or what may be exposed, as well as the eventual fate of these NPs, and whether there is the potential for adverse biological effects from the exposure scenarios. The physicochemical characteristics of NPs are very important in cellular uptake, which leads to their biological effects and their potential to cause toxicity.The smart development and manufacture of nano-enabled products would therefore involve a safety-by-design approach (also termed by green chemistry specialists as the “benign-by-design” approach), where nanosafety information is used in the early development of nanomaterials to provide products that can be marketed as being safer to use, for consumers and the environment. Effective nanosafety research for those nanomaterials being scaled up to production will also help provide nano-manufacturers with a “licence to operate,” as well as demonstrate their legal duty of care to provide a safe workplace for their employees, and also minimize environmental impact.It is therefore important for nanomaterial developers and manufacturers to understand the major factors influencing the bioactivity of NPs in order to re-engineer nanomaterials to reduce their intrinsic hazard, or use appropriate workplace and environmental controls to reduce the potential risk of exposure to nanomaterials of concern.This chapter provides an overview of the toxicology of ENMs and the occupational health and safety (OH&S) issues and workplace controls for using ENMs. Focussing on commercial-scale
ENM production, the majority of examples in this chapter concern inorganic engineered nanoparticles. 27.2 Overview of Nanotoxicology
Focus Point 1: Nanoparticles are most likely to have higher toxicity than bulk material if they are insoluble, penetrate biological membranes, persist in the body or are long and fiber-like. Focus Point 2: The physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles are very important in cellular uptake, which leads to their biological effects.
