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Toxicity evaluation of inorganic nanoparticles: considerations and challenges

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Abstract

Toxicity evaluation of inorganic nanoparticles in cell lines and in whole animals has been extensively explored in recent years. However, conflicting results have been reported regarding size-dependent toxicity and biokinetics in vitro and in vivo, and thus, basic questions regarding whether nanoparticles, ranged from 1 to 100 nm in size, are comparatively more toxic than larger-sized particles remain unanswered. This may be closely associated with changes in physicochemical properties of nanoparticles in biological fluids. Understanding in vivo physiological barriers, biological fates, and absorption mechanism of nanoparticles upon exposure routes will be useful to predict their toxicity potential. This review will highlight the critical points to be considered in order to evaluate the toxicity of inorganic nanoparticles, and discuss the issues and challenges emerging in the field of nanotoxicology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food Science and Technology, Seoul Women’s University, Seoul, 139-774, Korea

    Soo-Jin Choi

  2. Toxicological Research Division, National Institute of Food & Drug Safety Evaluation, KFDA, Chungchungbuk-do, 363-700, Korea

    Jong Kwon Lee & Jayoung Jeong

  3. Center for Intelligent Nano-Bio Materials (CINBM), Department of Bioinspired Science and Department of Chemistry and Nano Science (Ewha Global Top 5 program-2011), Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 120-750, Korea

    Jin-Ho Choy

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  1. Soo-Jin Choi
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  2. Jong Kwon Lee
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  3. Jayoung Jeong
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  4. Jin-Ho Choy
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Correspondence to Soo-Jin Choi or Jin-Ho Choy.

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Choi, SJ., Lee, J.K., Jeong, J. et al. Toxicity evaluation of inorganic nanoparticles: considerations and challenges. Mol. Cell. Toxicol. 9, 205–210 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13273-013-0026-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13273-013-0026-z

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