Volume 50, Issue 6 pp. 1260-1278
Review

Nanotoxicology: An Interdisciplinary Challenge

Prof. Dr. Harald F. Krug

Corresponding Author

Prof. Dr. Harald F. Krug

Empa—Materials Science & Technology, Department Materials Meet Life, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014 St. Gallen (Switzerland), Fax: (+41) 71-274-7161 http://www.empa.ch/abt274

Empa—Materials Science & Technology, Department Materials Meet Life, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014 St. Gallen (Switzerland), Fax: (+41) 71-274-7161 http://www.empa.ch/abt274Search for more papers by this author
Peter Wick

Peter Wick

Empa—Materials Science & Technology, Department Materials Meet Life, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014 St. Gallen (Switzerland), Fax: (+41) 71-274-7161 http://www.empa.ch/abt274

Search for more papers by this author
First published: 11 January 2011
Citations: 473

Graphical Abstract

Nanotechnology safety research combines biology, chemistry, and physics with workplace hygiene and material sciences into a substantial interdisciplinary field of research. Sustainability and reliability are the pillars of the success of this new technology, and the safety of applications is founded on findings that are based on robust, reliable testing strategies.

Abstract

The increasing consumption of products containing nanomaterials that can be currently observed and forecasts of new developments and applications fan the fear of individuals and organizations regarding new risks to health. Considering experiences gained from previous technology developments, such fears are not completely unfounded. But are they really justified? And is it justified, moreover, to speak of “nanotoxicology” as a new discipline? This Review seeks to cast light on the phenomena that may occur as nanoobjects interact with cells, tissues, and organisms. Furthermore, we will demonstrate that the many data made available on the biological effects of nanomaterials do not always come from studies that can be considered reliable. We will point out the aspect of reliability with specific examples from the literature and will not address specific (nano)materials. In particular, inadequate methods will be described together with recommendations how to avoid this in the future, thereby contributing to a sustainable improvement of the available data.

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