What's new in nanotoxicology? Implications for public health from a brief review of the 2008 literature

Here, we review several articles of original research published in 2008 that concerned the toxicity of metal and carbon-based nanoparticles. Articles were selected from the MEDLINE PubMed database, all published or pre-published during 2008 and relating to nanomaterials, -particles or -structures and toxicity or health. From the 746 articles, we concentrated on research into carbonaceous (carbon nanotubes [CNTs] and fullerenes) and metallic materials (pure metal, oxides), because these nanomaterials are produced and used worldwide and are the most relevant for public health. Unfortunately, due to the large variability in materials used and methods used conflicting data are generated hampering the risk assessment.