What is "nanotoxicology"

n. the toxicology of nanoparticles

Nanotoxicology is the study of the toxicity of nanomaterials. Because of quantum size effects and large surface area to volume ratio, nanomaterials have unique properties compared with their larger counterparts.

Nanotoxicology is a branch of bionanoscience which deals with the study and application of toxicity of nanomaterials. Nanomaterials, even when made of inert elements like gold, become highly active at nanometer dimensions. Nanotoxicological studies are intended to determine whether and to what extent these properties may pose a threat to the environment and to human beings. For instance, Diesel nanoparticles have been found to damage the cardiovascular system in a mouse model.

Nanotoxicology is a peer-reviewed, scientific journal that focuses on environmental exposure, hazard, and risk of applied nanostructured materials. It publishes research that addresses the potentially toxic interactions between nanostructured materials and living matter. The journal publishes the results of studies that enhance safety during the production, use, and disposal of nanomaterials. The editor-in-chief is Håkan Wallin ( National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Denmark).

According to the Journal Citation Reports, its 2014 impact factor is 6,411 ranking it fourth out of 87 journals in the category Toxicology and ranking it 13th out of 79 journals in the category Nanoscience & Nanotechnology.