Chapter 16 - Developmental toxicity of engineered nanomaterials

Engineering of nanosized particles provides new material properties due to large surface area, design and control of particle shape, and surface coatings. Toxicological properties of nanoparticles may therefore differ from bulk material. Developmental toxicity of nanoparticles may occur due to “traditional” toxicity, relating to specific chemical constituents, e.g., cadmium, and toxicity relating specifically to the particulates, where adverse effects depend on particle properties. During recent years an increasing number of studies have shown that nanosized particles can pass the placenta, albeit in low amounts. Nanoparticles might affect fetal development directly. Nanoparticles may, however, not need to cross the placenta or even enter the maternal blood stream to affect the fetus. Hence, inhaled nanoparticles may induce maternal lung inflammation and released inflammatory mediators might act as causative factors. Work on developmental toxicity of nanomaterials indicates some particles have potential to affect pregnancy and development. The true culprits of engineered nanoparticles might be functional impairment of the offspring rather than malformations and fetotoxicity.