[Nanoparticles (part 2)--advantages and health risk]

Over the recent years, nanotechnologies and their products--nanoparticles--have become extremely popular among scientists. Nanoparticles find numerous applications in many fields, starting with biomedical sciences, through optics, textile, construction, motorization industries, and ending with electricity and electronics. New possibilities of nanoproducts application emerge almost every day. However, it should be remembered that nanoparticles carry both advantages and risks. Small-size-particles enable overcoming the systemic barriers unnoticeably to humans. Exposure to nanoparticles is a serious threat; it may take all possible routes, of which inhalation is the most important one. Toxicity of nanoparticles is manifested by inflammation resulting probably from oxidative stress. Nanosceptics even find certain similarities between nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes, one of the most popular nanoparticles, and asbestos fibers. In view of a rapid development of nanotechnologies it is essential to establish adequate criteria for risk assessment that could protect against potential harmful effects arising from specific properties of substances occurring in the form of nanoparticles.