Testing Nanotoxicity: An Update of New and Traditional Methods

The exploitation of engineered nanomaterials (NMs)
in many technological fields is partly rapidly evolving
and partly well consolidated. Nanotoxicity, the
dark side of the nanotechnology revolution, became
a matter of concern since 1990. More than a decade
later, three nonconnected and acute occurrences of
toxic reactions in humans, possibly related to exposure
to NMs, were reported.
In all these cases, however, the cause–effect relationship
was suggested, but not proved. While sporadic,
these adverse effects were severe enough to enhance
the alert about the safety of NMs. Currently, nanotoxicology
had already evolved into an independent
discipline and included aspects of preventive
and occupational medicine.