ABSTRACT
Nanotechnology is shaping the future. The current broad, multidisciplinary technology development clearly shows how nanoparticles have become a key ingredient in commodity products affecting our daily life. Next to an exponentially growing market and economic excitement over the promises of nanoparticles, we often forget that nanoparticles have already been used industrially for nearly a century. Both widespread production and the use of these manufactured nanoparticles have already led to human and environmental exposure. While such arguments may offer partial relief from fears assigned to presumed toxic nanomaterials, the sheer volume of novel nanomaterials becoming presently accessible makes the evaluation of nanoparticle-related risks a very relevant and current topic.
