Occupational and Environmental Health Effects of Nanomaterials
1Hoseo University, Asan, Republic of Korea
2National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg, South Africa
3Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
4Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
5National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Washington, USA
Occupational and Environmental Health Effects of Nanomaterials
Description
With the recent advancements in nanosciences and nanotechnologies, a large number of novel nanomaterials have been introduced in our everyday life. However, as the potential hazards of these novel nanomaterials have not been fully understood yet, concerns on the occupational and environmental health effects are increasing rapidly. In fact, recent scientific studies suggested that at least some nanoparticles may penetrate into intact skin, actively interact with biological tissues, and cause toxicological effects on the experimental animals exposed to these materials. Current research also indicates that the toxicity of manufactured nanomaterial will depend on their physical and chemical properties including their chemical composition, core size, morphology, agglomeration state, surface area, and surface charge. However, so far, quantitative understanding on the relationships among their physicochemical properties, biological toxicities, and human and environmental health effects is lacking. Therefore, it is urgently needed to have a clearer understanding of the effects of various nanomaterials and their physicochemical properties related to occupational and environmental health.
The aim of this special issue is to discuss occupational and environmental health effects of nanomaterials and their relationships with various physicochemical properties of nanomaterials. We invite authors to submit original research and review articles that seek to improve our understanding on occupational and environmental health effects of nanomaterials. Particularly, we are interested in articles that explore quantitative relationships among their physicochemical properties, biological toxicities, and health effects.
Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
- Health effects and toxicity (in vivo and in vitro) of manufactured nanomaterials
- ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) and methodology for kinetic study of manufactured nanomaterials
- Environmental toxicity of manufactured nanomaterials
- Exposure assessment in the workplaces producing or handling manufactured nanomaterials
- Risk assessment of manufactured nanomaterials