ABSTRACT
Nanomaterials are defined as particles within the size range of 1–100 nm and characterized by their physicochemical properties like size, surface charge, surface coating, and chemical composition. These nanomaterials are synthesized for different applications ranging from human healthcare to treatment of diseases in plants and animals, electronics to structural materials, consumer products to various industrial applications. Ever growing uses of these nanomaterials lead to synthesis of a large amount of nanomaterials everyday which results in increased exposure of these nanomaterials to human and environment. Apart from these manmade nanoparticles, a large number of nanoparticles are produced as a result of different natural and anthropogenic events like forest fire, volcanic eruption, automobile exhaust, burning of fossil fuels and biomass, etc. The potential toxicity and unforeseen side effects of these nanomaterials are a matter of great concern. A host of both organic and inorganic nanomaterials have been developed and tested in variety of in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo conditions. This chapter aims to review the current state of knowledge on the risk of different nanomaterials on health and environment, and their future prospects.
