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Nanotoxicology
is the study of the toxicity of nanomaterials. Because of the small size and
large surface area of nanomaterials, these materials have unique
properties compared with their larger counterparts. The nanomaterials, even when they are made of inert
elements like gold, become very active at a nanometer
range. Nanotoxicological studies are intended to determine whether and to
what extent these may pose a threat to the environment and to human beings.
For instance, Diesel nanoparticles have been found to damage the
cardiovascular system
in a mouse model.
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