<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Nanotechnology is the term given to those areas of science and engineering where the phenomena take place at nanoscale dimensions. Nanoparticles are particles with &lt;100 nm in one dimension. They have different physical, chemical, electrical and optical properties than those that occur in bulk samples of the same material. Understanding these nanoscale properties and finding ways to engineer new nanomaterials will have a revolutionary impact, from more efficient energy generation and data storage to improved methods for diagnosing and treating diseases. Nanotechnology is poised to become a major factor in the world's economy and part of our everyday lives in the near future. Hundreds of tonnes of nanoparticles already enter the environment annually, but still very little is known of their interactions with biological systems. Recent studies indicate that some nanoparticles are not completely benign to biological and environmental targets. The challenge for toxicologists is to identify key factors that can be used to predict toxicity, permit targeted screening, and allow material scientists to generate new, safer nanoparticles with this structure-toxicity information in mind. The aim of this paper is to summarize some known facts about nanomaterials and discuss future perspectives, regulatory issues and tasks of the emerging branch of toxicology, that is, nanotoxicology.</p></abstract>

Nanotechnology is the term given to those areas of science and engineering where the phenomena take place at nanoscale dimensions. Nanoparticles are particles with <100 nm in one dimension. They have different physical, chemical, electrical and optical properties than those that occur in bulk samples of the same material. Understanding these nanoscale properties and finding ways to engineer new nanomaterials will have a revolutionary impact, from more efficient energy generation and data storage to improved methods for diagnosing and treating diseases. Nanotechnology is poised to become a major factor in the world's economy and part of our everyday lives in the near future. Hundreds of tonnes of nanoparticles already enter the environment annually, but still very little is known of their interactions with biological systems. Recent studies indicate that some nanoparticles are not completely benign to biological and environmental targets. The challenge for toxicologists is to identify key factors that can be used to predict toxicity, permit targeted screening, and allow material scientists to generate new, safer nanoparticles with this structure-toxicity information in mind. The aim of this paper is to summarize some known facts about nanomaterials and discuss future perspectives, regulatory issues and tasks of the emerging branch of toxicology, that is, nanotoxicology.

Nanotoxicology for Safe and Sustainable Nanotechnology

Department of Biology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

{"article-title":"Nanotoxicology for Safe and Sustainable Nanotechnology"}

Nanotechnology is the term given to those areas of science and engineering where the phenomena take place at nanoscale dimensions. Nanoparticles are particles...

Nanotoxicology for Safe and Sustainable Nanotechnology

Published Online: Dec 06, 2007

Page range: 471 - 478

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10004-007-0040-4

Keywords
elektronska mikroskopija, ocena tveganja, proizvedeni nanodelci, testiranje strupenosti

This content is open access.

Nanotoxicology for Safe and Sustainable Nanotechnology

Published Online: Dec 06, 2007

Page range: 471 - 478

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10004-007-0040-4

Keywordselektronska mikroskopija, ocena tveganja, proizvedeni nanodelci, testiranje strupenosti

This content is open access.

Keywords
elektronska mikroskopija, ocena tveganja, proizvedeni nanodelci, testiranje strupenosti