ABSTRACT
Nanotechnology currently is undergoing a dramatic expansion in material science research and development. The success in application of nanotechnology will require assurances that the products being developed are safe from an environmental, health and safety (EHS) standpoint. Nanomaterials can enter the human body through several ports. Accidental or involuntary contact during production or use is most likely to happen via the lungs from where a rapid translocation through the blood stream is possible to other vital organs. Certainly, particles in the nano-size range can enter the human body via the lungs and the intestines; penetration via the skin is less evident. Some particles can penetrate deep into the dermis. The safety of materials would be a challenge for industry, legislators and risk assessors to construct a set of high-throughput and low-cost tests for nanoparticles without reducing the efficiency and reliability of the risk assessment.
