Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book attempts to encompass the state of the science regarding physicochemical characterization of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). It aims to illuminates the effort to understand these properties and how they may affect ENM deployment in existing or future materials and products. The book discusses the current lists of toxicologically relevant characteristics for nano-objects. It provides the underlying foundation of physicochemical properties. The book presents the fundamental analysis of chemical-to-chemical interactions. It also provides a framework for organizing ENMs for risk assessment. The book describes the physicochemical properties of nanomaterials in the context of environmental regulations. It also attempts to raise the importance of understanding, needing, and using physicochemical properties of ENMs in reducing their risks. The book suggests science that has long held the importance of understanding these properties to develop medications that purposely bind with targets to achieve desired health effect.