ABSTRACT
The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in commercial products and industrial applications has been prominently increased in recent years. However, the augmented use of NPs widens the likelihood of environmental exposure to NPs and poses a threat to specific NP-associated hazards. The anticipated toxicity of NPs has raised questions about the mechanisms through which they affect human life and their environment. The toxicity of NPs varies with their size, shape and other basic properties, therefore it is essential to study their basic properties as well as to assess their biological hazards. Among the existing NPs, there is a substantial interest in metal and metal oxide NPs for commercial development and the concerns surrounding their eco-toxicological effects and their effects on humans. The present chapter addresses the current understanding of the physico-chemical properties, possible mechanisms involved, and the toxicity of various metal and metal oxide NPs on humans and the environment.
