Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 7, 2026

Whole-Body Nanoparticle Aerosol Inhalation Exposures
Published on: May 7, 2013
The potential health challenges of TiO2 nanomaterials
Baoyong Sha1,2, Wei Gao3, Xingye Cui2,4
1School of Basic Medical Science, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, 710021, China.
Abstract:
Titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) nanomaterials (NMs) have found widespread applications owing to their attractive physical and chemical properties. As a result, the potential adverse impacts of nano-TiO2 exposure on humans have become a matter of concern. This review presents the state-of-the-art advances on the investigations of the adverse effects of NMs, including the potential exposure routes of nano-TiO2 (e.g. respiratory system, skin absorption and digestive system), the physico-chemical characterizations of nano-TiO2 (e.g. crystal structure, shape,size, zeta potential, treatment media, aggregation and agglomeration tendency, surface characteristics and coatings), risk evaluation of nanotoxicity (e.g. cytotoxicity, ecotoxicity, phototoxicity, and phytotoxicity) and potential mechanisms of adverse effects (e.g. generation of reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress and organelle dysfunction). The review aims to facilitate scientific assessments of health risks to nano-TiO2 , which would guide the safe applications of NMs in our daily life.
Related Concept Videos
Toxic Reactions: Overview
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
Types of Toxins
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Bioactivation and Tissue Toxicity
Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions
The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements

