Assessment of Nanomaterial's Toxicity

**15**

**Chapter 2**

**Abstract**

assessment

scales [3, 4].

**1. Introduction**

How to Assess Nanomaterial

Human Health Approach

discuss about the need for regulamentation.

*Matheus M. Roberto and Cintya A. Christofoletti*

Toxicity? An Environmental and

Nanomaterials had been used because of the properties they exert in such scale

**Keywords:** toxicity assays, test organisms, in vitro models, in vivo assays, nanoscale

Emerging and promising nanotechnology represents a field of multidisciplinary

measure less than 100 nm [1, 2]. The Royal Society and Royal Engineering Academy proposed this concept in 2004, which was associated to nanoscience as the branch responsible for studying the phenomenon of materials with atomic, molecular, and macromolecular scales, whose properties differ significantly from those with major

Nanoparticles can be generally described as ultrafine small material with 1–100 nm; however, several types of systems not limited only by small particles of certain material are included in this definition, as nanotubes, nanospheres, and nanocapsules [4, 5]. The properties exhibited by nanomaterials are unique and are being applied in many fields, from industrial to medicine [6, 7]. According to Arora et al. [8], the use of nanomaterials is increasing for commercial purposes as fillers,

knowledge responsible for development and application of materials, which

(<100 nm), and they have been used in a wide variety of products like paints, electronics, fabrics, and also personal care products. Recent manuscripts available in the literature demonstrate the potential benefits of nanotechnology with these products. However, when released in the environment or when in contact with the human body, it is hard to track their final destination and their influence over the living beings. So, since nanomaterials were considered an important technology, a concern about its risks also started. Due to the variety of sizes, physicochemical properties, and uses, many researchers are aiming to assess the possible toxicity of this class of particles. Because of that, the chapter objective is to gather which assay, performed in vivo and in vitro, is the most frequently used and recommended to measure nanomaterial toxicity. Also, it is important to know which is the most suitable test to evaluate the toxicity over the environment, through direct effect and after biodegradation, and also related to human health. This chapter presents a concise review about the accepted methods to assess nanomaterial toxicity and also

## **Chapter 2**
