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Nanoparticles for Biomedical Science and Research
Summary
This overview reviews nanoparticles—clusters of atoms ranging 1–100 nm—for biomedical science and research applications, covering their compositions, environmental burden, and the distinct challenges posed by plastic-derived nanoplastics compared to engineered nanoparticles.
Nanoparticles refer to clusters of a few to several thousand atoms or molecules. The term "nano" refers to their size, typically ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers; a nanometer (symbol: nm) is equal to 10−9 meters = 0.000 000 001 meters = 1 billionth of a meter = 1 millionth of a millimeter. According to ISO/TS 27687:2008, nanoparticles are nano-objects with three outer dimensions. "Nano" is derived from the Greek "nanos" meaning "dwarf" or "dwarfish." Nanoparticles can be composed of various substances and pose an environmental burden. Nanoparticles made of plastic, smaller than microplastics, are called nanoplastics. There are numerous potential applications for nanoparticles. They could be used to enhance various household materials. In medicine, nanoparticles could facilitate targeted drug delivery in the body or provide a gentler form of cancer therapy. Additionally, in electronics, nanoparticles could contribute to enabling more powerful and smaller computers. The significant benefits of nanoparticles have led to a drastic increase in their production and application, but it also presents a wide range of potential hazards for us and our environment. It is still unclear which nanoparticles have an impact on organisms. Ecotoxicology addresses potential hazards posed by nanoparticles during their production, use, and disposal, as nanoparticles exhibit novel chemical and physical properties.
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