We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Technology

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Nanotoxicology?

Daniel Liden
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 7,040
References
Share

Nanotoxicology is a subfield of toxicology that is concerned with the study of the potentially toxic effects of nanoscale particles, or particles with a diameter of less than 100 nanometers — for scale, 1 nanometer equals 10-6 millimeters. In general, the toxic properties of nanoscale particles arise from the fact that such particles have a very high surface-to-volume ratio. This high surface-to-volume ratio makes the particles, which are often small enough to penetrate cellular membranes, highly reactive with many different chemicals and tissues. Some chemical reactions involving nanoscale particles can have deleterious effects within the body. The field of nanotoxicology is concerned with classifying the conditions that lead to toxic effects and devising ways to prevent and treat them.

One of the main concerns of the field of nanotoxicology is determining which properties of specific nanoscale particles lead to toxic effects. Size is one of the major factors that affects toxicity, as smaller particles are able to penetrate tissues and cells and are, therefore, able to affect areas that larger particles can not. The shape and reactivity of a given particle is also highly important to nanotoxicology, as these factors determine, to some extent, the effect that nanoscale particles have on surrounding tissue. Different particles may also have a variety of effects on different types of tissue, so external conditions must be considered when analyzing the toxicology of a given particle.

Another area of importance in the field of nanotoxicology is the transportation of nanoscale particles throughout the body. Such particles are so small that they can be absorbed through almost any part of the body. Once they gain access to the body, they tend not to be limited to the immediate area of absorption. They are small enough to move into the bloodstream and travel to many different organs throughout the body, including the brain and kidneys. Elucidating the manner in which a given nanoscale particle can enter and travel through the body is a vital goal of the field of nanotoxicology.

Several different processes involving nanoscale particles can lead to potentially toxic effects. A small number of such particles may not, for instance, have any noticeable effect, but sickness might result if many more build up over time. This is a significant risk because of the ease with which such small particles can enter the body. Alternatively, the highly reactive particles may be able to cause damage to cells even without accumulating in large numbers. Nanotoxicology researchers hope to determine precisely how nanoscale particles harm organisms in order to develop an effective defense against them.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Daniel Liden
By Daniel Liden
Daniel Liden, a talented writer with a passion for cutting-edge topics and data analysis, brings a unique perspective to his work. With a diverse academic background, he crafts compelling content on complex subjects, showcasing his ability to effectively communicate intricate ideas. He is skilled at understanding and connecting with target audiences, making him a valuable contributor.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Daniel Liden
Daniel Liden
Daniel Liden, a talented writer with a passion for cutting-edge topics and data analysis, brings a unique perspective to...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-nanotoxicology.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.