Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 8
Nanotoxicology and
Remediation
Chapter Outline
8.1 Introduction
361
8.3.2 Storage
384
8.2 NM
s
Exhibiting Toxicity
363
8.3.3 Disposal
384
8.2.1 Carbon Nanotubes
and Fullerenes
8.4 Remediation in Case of
NM
s
Spills
364
385
8.2.2 Toxicity Evaluation
of QDs
8.4.1 Spills of NMs in
solution
367
386
8.2.3 Gold NMs Toxicity
374
8.4.2 Spills of NMs in
Powder Form
8.2.4 IOMNP Toxicity
375
386
8.2.5 Silver NPs Toxicity
381
8.5 Nanotoxicity Regulations
387
8.3 Handling, Storage, and
Disposal of NM
s
8.6 The NM
s
Intellectual
Property Perspective
384
392
8.3.1 Handling
384
8.7 Conclusion
394
8.1 INTRODUCTION
Nanotoxicology is a new area of study that deals with the toxicological profiles
of nanomaterials (NMs). Compared with the larger counterparts, the quantum
size effects and large surface area to volume ratio brings NMs their unique prop-
erties that may or may not be toxic to living things. Thus, nanotoxicology deals
with elucidating how different NMs affect living systems. Inert elements like
gold become active at nanoscale dimensions. Nanotoxicity studies are intended
to determine whether and to what extent the properties of gold and other mate-
rials in the nanoscale dimensions may pose a threat to the environment and to
living things.
The nanotechnology industry has shown an industrial revolution over the
last few years, a trend which is more than likely to continue into the future.
Unfortunately, the exponential progress in nanotechnology has exceeded the
advances of research on the impact of NMs on living systems especially on
