The question of genetic safety for Nano materials

Modern nano-science and nano-technology have shown as one of the most promising technologies of the ۲۱st century that enable novel applications in a wide range of fields, from chemistry, physics, and biology, to medicine, engineering, and electronics. The passion and excitement, as well as benefits from the application of this field, has soon extended the number of nano-materials users and distribution in human society. The fantasy of new benefits from the same known materials in smaller nano sizes fooled both the scientists and the public for the safety of their use for the human being and the ecosystem. The fact, however, is that a change of size so dramatically would definitely change all of physico-chemical properties of the maters, result in significant alterations of their biological effects. This might include the absorption, biomolecular binding, cellular penetrations, and accumulation, as well as different biochemical pathways modifications that will result in many new biological outcomes including toxicities. Our initial published investigation of the individuals working with nano-materials, or working close to such facilities has warned many health issues, especially in their skin, lung, eyes, GI and nervous system (Ashtarinezahd et al.). We have conducted a systematic review of more than ۲۰۰,۰۰۰ documents published in relation to this field to investigate the dept and potential mechanisms involved. Surprisingly, more than ۶۰۰۰ documents might systematically be correlated to the potential genetic effects of various nanomaterial for such a short period of time from their global extensive use. Significantly, alterations in the expression of many vital genes including IL۴, IL۱۳, IL۶ ، IL۱۸ ، IL۱ β ،IL۵ ، IFN-γ ،TNF-α, TSLP, NFKB, HMOX۱, SOD۳, GSTA۱, and GPx might well justify the dermal problems particularly Atopic dermatitis and/or eczema, and the lung problems specifically the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) syndromes, as well as the immune system deficiencies with the application of nanomaterial in the investigated human, animal, and the cellular models. Scientists and human society need to be warned on the importance of defining any nano-chemical as a new identity to perform all required biologic safety tests before their possible use.