Ecotoxicological impact of ZnO and CdE (E = S, Se, Te) quantum dots on microorganisms

Abstract

To produce unique products with novel properties, we need to manipulate materials at the nanoscale level. In the world, these nanomaterials are being rapidly produced in large scale, and it was shown, in the past 10 years, that the nanomaterials have different toxicity profiles compared with bulk particles because of their small size and consequently, their high reactivity. In this moment, the toxicological and environmental effects of direct or indirect exposure to these manufactured nanomaterials are not completely elucidated.