ABSTRACT
Advances in nanoscience and nanoengineering technology have provided benefi ts and presented risks to human safety. Nanoparticles (NPs) are now being used in many consumer products, such as, foods, cosmetics, biosensors, electronic devices, and drug delivery systems and their applications continue to increase rapidly (Zhao and Castranova, 2011). In general, a NP is defi ned as a particle with a diameter between 1 nm and 100 nm (SCENIHR, 2010; ISO, 2008), and NPs enter cells either via energy-dependent endocytosis, transmembrane channels, or membrane penetration and may produce adverse effects.
