Silver nanoparticleinduced ecotoxicity

Abstract

A holistic assessment of the induced ecotoxicity of AgNP in nontarget organisms clearlyevidenced a wide range of deleterious effects which could generate irreversible damageto biota and environments’ integrity at different levels (from invertebrates like microcrustaceansto bigger organisms like fish). The major concern lies in the lack of regulationand information about nanosilver-based products, therefore it results almostimpossible to accurately state not only the real environmental concentrations but alsothe composition and chemical behavior of the particles in natural matrices. Therefore itwill also result as difficult to predict environmental impacts and, above everything, preventthem. The single exposure to AgNP should be complemented by complex bioassaysrepresenting more realistic scenarios like mesocosms, organisms’ interactions,presence of other substances (including other xenobiotics), and the employment of othertest species rather than the standard ones (like D. rerio fish and D. magna microcrustacean).Additionally, environmentally relevant concentrations were poorly assessed incomparison to higher ones in the range of mg/L. Finally, research into soil exposureand associated organisms is needed to be deepened, together with the AgNP’s behaviorand transformations once the particles contact the substrate. Overall, only after an appropriateregulation of the design, production, and use of nanoproducts worldwide, the gapof knowledge between induced ecotoxicity and applications would be narrowed.