International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences

ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 2 Number 10 (2013) pp. 76-82

Nanoparticles and its Toxic Effects: A Review

Megha Agarwal1 , M.S. Murugan2 , Anupama Sharma3 , Rinita Ray4 ,Aman Kamboj5 Heena Sharma Roy6 and Sanjeev K.Roy6

1&5Division of Animal Biotechnology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar-243122, Bareilly,Uttar Pradesh, India, 2Avian Disease Laboratory, Thalaivasal-636112, Tamil Nadu, India, 3School of Zoonoses and Public Health, GADVASU, Ludhiana-241001, Punjab, India, 4Division of Bacteriology and Mycology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar-243122, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. 6Division of Livestock Products Technology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly-243122, Uttar Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT

Nanotechnology research is producing remarkable advances for detecting, treating, and preventing health problems. However, while nanoparticles can lead to breakthrough applications, they may also cause hazardous side effects. It has been shown that nanomaterials can enter the human body through several ports. Nanoparticles such as TiO2, copper nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles etc are found to exert deleterious effects on human beings, acquatic organisms as well as plant life. Health effects of nanoparticles are attracting considerable and increasing concern of the public and government worldwide. So far, most of the nanotoxicity research focused on respiratory tract exposures for assessing the health effects of nanoparticles. Other exposure routes, e.g., gastrointestinal tract also need to be considered as potential portals of entry. Most nano-sized spherical solid materials are found to enter the lungs easily via inhalation and reach the alveoli. In general the intestinal uptake of particles is better understood and studied in more detail than pulmonary and skin uptake. However, the body distribution of particles is strongly dependent on their surface characteristics.

Keywords

Nanoparticles; Toxic effects; Vital organ; Nanotoxicity; Nanomaterials.