Md Afzal Mansoori,
Khushboo Mishra,
Binay Kumar Mishra,
- Research Scholar, University Department of Physics, Veer Kunwar Singh University Ara, Bihar, India
- Research Scholar, University Department of Physics, Veer Kunwar Singh University Ara, Bihar, india
- professor, University Department of Physics, Veer Kunwar Singh University Ara, Bihar, Bihar
Abstract
The rapid advancement of nanotechnology has introduced engineered nanomaterials into
diverse sectors including medicine, agriculture, electronics, and consumer products.
However, the unique physicochemical properties that make nanomaterials valuable also raise
significant concerns about their potential toxicity to human health and ecological systems.
This study presents a comprehensive survey-based analysis of 400 respondents from diverse
professional backgrounds across seven countries to assess perceptions and understanding of
nanomaterial toxicity mechanisms and environmental behavior. Through exploratory factor
analysis, reliability testing, validity assessment, multiple regression, and structural equation
modeling, this research identifies key factors influencing nanomaterial impact, including
oxidative stress, membrane damage, and DNA damage as primary toxicity mechanisms.
Results demonstrate that familiarity with scientific literature (β = 0.803, p < 0.001) and
understanding of nanomaterial properties (β = 0.143, p < 0.001) are significant predictors of
perceived significance of nanomaterial impact. The study supports five hypotheses
confirming the significant relationships between nanomaterial types, their physicochemical
properties, exposure pathways, toxicity mechanisms, and environmental persistence. Findings
emphasize the urgent need for implementing safe-by-design approaches and comprehensive
regulatory frameworks to ensure sustainable nanotechnology development while minimizing
risks to human health and the environment.
Keywords: Nanotoxicity; Nanomaterial safety; Environmental fate; Oxidative stress; Safe- by-design; Sustainable nanotechnology
[This article belongs to Nano Trends – A Journal of Nano Technology & Its Applications ]
Md Afzal Mansoori, Khushboo Mishra, Binay Kumar Mishra. Assessing Nanomaterial Toxicity and Environmental Behavior: Toward Sustainable and Safe Nanotechnology. Nano Trends – A Journal of Nano Technology & Its Applications. 2025; 28(01):1-11.
Md Afzal Mansoori, Khushboo Mishra, Binay Kumar Mishra. Assessing Nanomaterial Toxicity and Environmental Behavior: Toward Sustainable and Safe Nanotechnology. Nano Trends – A Journal of Nano Technology & Its Applications. 2025; 28(01):1-11. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/nts/article=2025/view=235136
References
- Brennan ME, Valsami-Jones E. Safe by design for nanomaterials—late lessons from early warnings for sustainable innovation. NanoEthics. 2021;15:1-15. doi:10.1007/s11569-021-00393-9
- Fu PP, Xia Q, Hwang HM, Ray PC, Yu H. Mechanisms of nanotoxicity: generation of reactive oxygen species. J Food Drug Anal. 2014;22(1):64-75. doi:10.1016/j.jfda.2014.01.005
- Gottardo S, Mech A, Drbohlavová J, Małyska A, Bøwadt S, Riego Sintes J, et al. Towards safe and sustainable innovation in nanotechnology: state-of-play for smart nanomaterials. NanoImpact. 2021;21:100297. doi:10.1016/j.impact.2021.100297
- Gupta RK, et al. Investigating the toxicological effects of nanomaterials in food packaging associated with human health and the environment. J Hazard Mater Lett. 2024;5:100125. doi:10.1016/j.hazl.2024.100125
- Hansen SF, Baun A, Alstrup-Jensen K. NanoRiskCat: a conceptual framework for categorization and communication of exposure potentials and hazards of nanomaterials in consumer products. J Nanopart Res. 2017;19:1-12.
- Judy JD, Unrine JM, Bertsch PM. Evidence for biomagnification of gold nanoparticles within a terrestrial food chain. Environ Sci Technol. 2011;45(2):776-81.
- Lahive E, et al. A kinetic approach for assessing the uptake of Ag from pristine and sulfidized Ag nanomaterials to plants. Environ Toxicol Chem. 2021;40(7):1861-72. doi:10.1002/etc.5031
- Lowry GV, Gregory KB, Apte SC, Lead JR. Transformations of nanomaterials in the environment. Environ Sci Technol. 2012;46(13):6893-9.
- Lynch I, Dawson KA. Protein-nanoparticle interactions. Nano Today. 2008;3(1-2):40-7.
- Magdolenova Z, Collins A, Kumar A, Dhawan A, Stone V, Dusinska M. Mechanisms of genotoxicity. A review of in vitro and in vivo studies with engineered nanoparticles. Nanotoxicology. 2014;8(3):233-78.
- Manke A, Wang L, Rojanasakul Y. Mechanisms of nanoparticle-induced oxidative stress and toxicity. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:942916. doi:10.1155/2013/942916
- Nel A, Xia T, Mädler L, Li N. Toxic potential of materials at the nanolevel. Science. 2006;311(5761):622-7.
- Nel A, Meng H, Xia T. Continued efforts on nanomaterial-environmental health and safety is critical to maintain sustainable growth of nanoindustry. Small. 2020;16(21):2000690. doi:10.1002/smll.202000690
- Ray PC, Yu H, Fu PP. Toxicity and environmental risks of nanomaterials: challenges and future needs. J Environ Sci Health C Environ Carcinog Ecotoxicol Rev. 2009;27(1):1-35. doi:10.1080/10590500802708267
- Sahu SC, Hayes AW. Toxicity of nanomaterials found in human environment: a literature review. Toxicol Res Appl. 2017;1:1-13.
- Stella GM. Carbon nanotubes and pleural damage: perspectives of nanosafety in the light of asbestos experience. Biointerphases. 2011;6(2):P1-17.
- Yang K, Ma YQ. Computer simulation of the translocation of nanoparticles with different shapes across a lipid bilayer. Nat Nanotechnol. 2010;5(8):579-83.
- Yu H, et al. An insight into impact of nanomaterials toxicity on human health. PeerJ. 2022;12:e17807. doi:10.7717/peerj.17807
Nano Trends – A Journal of Nano Technology & Its Applications
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue | 01 |
| Received | 16/12/2025 |
| Accepted | 29/12/2025 |
| Published | 30/12/2025 |
| Publication Time | 14 Days |
Login
PlumX Metrics