What's new in Nanotoxicology? Brief review of the 2007 literature

Abstract

The use and commercial potential of engineered nanomaterials is increasing, but questions of occupational and public health safety remain. Here, we review research published in 2007 concerning toxicology of nanomaterials. Articles were selected from the Medline Pubmed database, published or pre-published during 2007, using keywords (nanomaterials or nanoparticles or nanostructures) and (toxicity or health). From the 238 articles, we chose to concentrate mainly on research into carbonaceous (carbon nanotubes [CNTs] and fullerenes) and metallic materials (pure metal, oxides), because of their relevance. The induction of oxidative stress was repeatedly reported, and new information on the movement of nanomaterials through membranes was publicized. Concerning CNTs, information was revealed on DNA damage in vitro and pulmonary and systemic in vivo effects. Several of the reports failed to follow recent expert recommendations concerning good practice for nanotoxicologic research, complicating the integration of the new data into the larger picture of safety of nanomaterials.

• Nanomaterials
• nanoparticles
• toxicity
• human health

Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by the European Commission through the Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (NMP2-CT-2005-515843 contract ‘NANOSAFE2’).

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.