ABSTRACT
Advances in nanomanufacturing have outpaced studies of nanosafety. Despite this, there has been an explosion of nanoproducts on the market, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Existing studies of nanotoxicity show general trends for increased toxicity as particulate sizes decrease. This increase may be associated with increased surface area, ability to pass through cellular barriers, interaction with subcellular structures, increased ability to activate neutrophils, and the stimulation of the release of inammatory mediators. Chronic inammation is of particular concern because it has been associated with a number of complex diseases including atherosclerosis and cancer. Few studies have examined the impact of nanomaterials (NMs) on reproductive tness. This is particularly disturbing because it has been shown that nanoparticles (NPs) and bers can interact with the spindle apparatus of dividing cells. In addition, existing studies have tended to examine nanotoxicity within one generation, in young animals, and have been biased toward mammalian systems. Given the rate at which nanomanufacturing and research is accelerating, there will be increased amounts of NMs entering waste streams, and therefore eventually entering the environment. Thus, it is imperative that nanosafety now include studies that examine both
15.1 Introduction: Silent Spring for Nano? ...........................................................268 15.2 Nanoparticle Denition ................................................................................269 15.3 Nanoparticle Exposure ................................................................................. 270 15.4 Demonstrating/Assaying Nanoparticles in Tissue ........................................ 273 15.5 Mechanisms of Nanoparticle Damage .......................................................... 273 15.6 Subcellular Impacts of NPs .......................................................................... 276
15.6.1 Systemic Effects of NMs .................................................................. 277 15.7 Evolutionary Toxicology and NMs ............................................................... 278 15.8 Conclusion: Carson Revisited ....................................................................... 281 References .............................................................................................................. 282
intergenerational and age-associated effects of nanoexposure across broad taxa. These will be best carried out in model organisms with rapid generation times and well-known genetics (such as bacteria (E. coli), algae, yeast, owering plants (Arabidopsis), roundworm, fruit y, and mouse).
