FACTORS INFLUENCING THE MANIFESTATION OF TOXICITY AND DANGER OF NANOMATERIALS

Abstract

Background. The development of new technologies of the directed synthesis and use of nanoparticles and nanomaterials with properties that are radically different from those of traditional materials, related to peculiarities of their dimensions and to the combination and variability range of physicochemical properties, parameters, characteristics of nanoparticles and their coating surface, procedures and manipulations when conducting studies, can result in development of quite different effects and risks. Objective. The purpose of the paper is analysis of the significance of dimensional and structural factors, and their combinations in the manifestation of toxicity and danger of nanomaterials based on published data. Methods. Analysis and systematization of scientific data on the assessment of manifestations of toxicity and hazard of nanomaterials over the past 20 years. Results. The transition of substances to the nanoscale state makes them chemically more active – the smaller the size of the nanoparticles, the stronger the effect they show in comparison with equivalent amounts of this substance in a traditional macro form. On contact with the biological environment, their surface is covered with proteins. When entering the body, they may undergo agglomeration, dissociation, or modification. Procedures and manipulations in the research can also affect the properties and, consequently, the toxicity of nanoparticles. Most nanoparticles are unstable in dispersion, prone to aggregation and sedimentation, which significantly affects the process of absorption of nanoparticles and their toxicity. Conclusions. The toxicity and danger of nanoparticles and nanomaterials depend on many factors and their combinations. The complexity of assessing the impact of nanostructures is determined by the range of variability of properties, chemical, geometric, physico-chemical properties and characteristics, size, surface of nanoparticles. The improvement and development of new approaches to identifying the danger of nanoscale objects is a promising direction of scientific investigations.