A Comprehensive Review on Impact of Nanomaterials on Human Health

Nanomaterials have been widely used for their biomedical applications like diagnosis, treatment of diseases, artificial cells and tissue engineering through which they have direct access into human body. They are used as materials for coatings of containers and food packages, from which they may leach into the contents and reach the human body. Also, a wide range of consumer products utilize nanotechnology for better results such as beauty solutions, weight loss drinks. Generally, nanoparticles are long circulating in the systemic circulation and are excreted into the urine and take their path into the environment and waterbodies. Therefore, humans can be exposed to nanomaterials through a known source such as drugs or foods, or inadvertent exposure through the environment. Nanomaterials due to their ability to interact with the human cells at molecular level especially possess some inherent toxicity, which is carefully evaluated by means of nanotoxicity assays. There is a thorough need to device methods for estimating toxicity of various types of nanomaterials. This review focuses on various applications for which nanomaterials are used, and resulting toxicity and methods of estimating toxicity and suggested methods to overcome. Also, it outlines the environmental toxicity resulting from the usage of nanomaterials.