Review Interaction of engineered nanoparticles with various components of the environment and possible strategies for their risk assessment Indu Bhatt, Bhumi Nath Tripathi ⇑ Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Banasthali University, Banasthali, 304 022 Rajasthan, India article info Article history: Received 19 May 2010 Received in revised form 1 October 2010 Accepted 3 October 2010 Available online 25 October 2010 Keywords: Engineered nanoparticles Fullerenes Carbon nanotubes Zero-valent metal Ecotoxicity abstract Nanoparticles are the materials with at least two dimensions between 1 and 100 nm. Mostly these nano- particles are natural products but their tremendous commercial use has boosted the artificial synthesis of these particles (engineered nanoparticles). Accelerated production and use of these engineered nanopar- ticles may cause their release in the environment and facilitate the frequent interactions with biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystems. Despite remarkable commercial benefits, their presence in the nature may cause hazardous biological effects. Therefore, detail understanding of their sources, release interaction with environment, and possible risk assessment would provide a basis for safer use of engi- neered nanoparticles with minimal or no hazardous impact on environment. Keeping all these points in mind the present review provides updated information on various aspects, e.g. sources, different types, synthesis, interaction with environment, possible strategies for risk management of engineered nanoparticles. Ó 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Contents 1. Introduction......................................................................................................... 308 2. Natural vs engineered nanoparticles ..................................................................................... 309 3. Production of engineered nanoparticles .................................................................................. 309 4. Classes of engineered nanoparticles...................................................................................... 309 5. Physico-chemical properties of engineered nanoparticles .................................................................... 310 6. Release of engineered nanoparticles in the environment ..................................................................... 311 7. Biological uptake of engineered nanoparticles ............................................................................. 311 8. Ecotoxicity of engineered nanoparticles .................................................................................. 312 9. Ecotoxicity test strategies and biological hazard assessment.................................................................. 313 10. Legislations on the management of risk related to engineered nanoparticles .................................................... 315 11. Future research ...................................................................................................... 315 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................... 315 References .......................................................................................................... 316 1. Introduction A remarkable progress has been noted in the area of nanotech- nology in recent years as evident from its widespread use in textile, electronics, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, foods and environmental remediation (Dunphy Guzman et al., 2006; Royal Society, 2004). Despite tremendous benefits, the inevitable release of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in the environment with the development of nanotechnology is a serious case of concern of environmental biologists worldwide. However, a few studies have already demon- strated the toxic effects of nanoparticles on various organisms, including mammals (Handy et al., 2008a). But scanty and fragmen- tary information are available on probable inputs, fate and interac- tions of these nanoparticles with various components of the environment. Thus the present review is aimed to address the cur- rent understanding of the structure, fate, behaviour, ecotoxicity test methods and environmental risks assessment of ENPs. 0045-6535/$ - see front matter Ó 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2010.10.011 ⇑ Corresponding author. Tel. +91 9414543709. E-mail address: bhuminathtripathi@hotmail.com (B.N. Tripathi). Chemosphere 82 (2011) 308–317 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Chemosphere journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/chemosphere