ABSTRACT
Nanotoxicity occurs when a biological system induces toxic biological responses due to the interaction of cells/tissues with the particle properties of nanostructures. To circumvent adverse effects associated with nanomaterials/nanomedicine, nanotoxicity should be properly addressed considering the particle properties and/or surface chemistry of nanostructures/nanodrug delivery systems. Four classes of nanomaterials, viz., elemental carbon, carbon materials, metal and metal oxides, and ceramics, are the basic engineered nanomaterials. The toxicity of nanomaterials can also be studied in vitro on cultured cell lines. The physicochemical properties of nanomaterials are characterized and tested for their basal cytotoxicity, carcinogenic potential, genotoxicity, chronic toxicity, developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity, and immune toxicity using the corresponding in vitro and also in vivo systems. During manufacturing of nanomaterials, unwanted exposure of nanomaterials may impart occupational health hazards to workers. Nanomedicine refers to the use of nanomaterials such as nanodevices and nanoparticles in drug delivery and diagnostics.
