Research Strategies for Safety Evaluation of Nanomaterials, Part IV: Risk Assessment of Nanoparticles

This article summarizes recent findings in the exposure and toxicity of nanoparticles and and their application for assessing human health risks. Characterization of airborne particles indicates that exposures will depend on particle behavior, and that accurate, portable, and cost-effective measurement techniques are essential for understanding exposure. From the research reviewed, it seems that under many conditions dermal penetration of nanoparticles may be limited in consumer products, though more studies should be conducted, especially on the effect of skin condition on penetration.