Toxicity of Nanomaterials to the Host and the Environment

Although silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) display excellent antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties; the pervasiveness of AgNPs in occupational, medicinal, consumer, and environmental settings has raised concerns about the potential for adverse health effects and environmental risks. We provide herein an overview of the use of AgNPs, routes of AgNPS exposure, physicochemical properties and mechanisms responsible for toxicity, and strategies to establish the safety of AgNPs. The core of this book chapter is the notion that while AgNPs may be effective agents in exterminating various pathogens, they may also damage healthy cells, animals, humans, and ecosystems. Thus, the manufacture and usage of AgNPs should be closely monitored and regulated.