Nanostructures for Novel Therapy

Chapter 29

Toxicity of nanostructures—a general approach

Cristina Ş. Iosub^*

Elena Olăreţ^*

Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu^*

Alina M. Holban^**

Ecaterina Andronescu^**    University Politehnica of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania^**    Research Institute of the University of Bucharest (ICUB), Bucharest, Romania

Abstract

Due to their enhanced properties, such as their nanometric dimensions, increased surface area, excellent surface chemistry, and their possibility to be functionalized, the nanostructured materials are used in a wide variety of different domains including the biomedical one. In order to develop biomedical devices, all nanostructures must be toxicologically tested. Even though the results of these tests are controversial and contradictory, they ...