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Abstract A noteworthy advancement through nanotechnological intervention has
been noticed in every sphere of life, including pharmaceutical industry and consumer products. Despite its tremendous benefits, the indiscriminate utilization of
nanomaterials in marketed products and their ensuing release into the ecosystems
spur serious concern and have potential adverse environmental impacts. However,
very little is known on environmental toxicity and risk modeling for nanomaterial
emissions to the environment and little or no data exist on reliable quantitative measurements of nanomaterials at actual release concentrations.
In this context, the present work aims to compile and present recent advances,
potential hazards and risks to the environment as well as regulatory background of
engineered nanomaterials. As many issues regarding the bioavailability, uptake, and
the life cycle assessment remain to be explored, we herein highlight and discuss the
progress and updates on research of toxicity of engineered nanomaterials used,
highlighting the pressing need within the field of econanotoxicity. In addition, grey
areas, challenges, and tentative directions for the way forward are suggested.
Keywords Engineered nanomaterials · Bioavailability · Environmental impact ·
Econanotoxicity · Risk assessment
Abbreviations
AAV
Adeno-associated virus
Ag
Silver
BAF
Bioaccumulation factor
BCF
Bioconcentration factor
Bi 2 O 3
Bismuth trioxide
BMF
Biomagnification factor
CdSe
Cadmium selenide
CeO 2
Cerium dioxide
CNTs
Carbon nanotubes
CrO 2
Chromium dioxide
EC
Effective concentrations
Eg
Energy gap
EMA
European Medicines Agency
ENPs
Engineered nanoparticles
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
ET
Evapotranspiration
Fe
2+
Ferrous
Fe
3+
Ferric
InP
Indium phosphide
LAI
Leaf area indexes
LC
Lethal concentrations
D. Kundu et al.