title: Health implications of engineered nanoparticles in infants and children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The nanotechnology boom and the ability to manufacture novel nanomaterials have led to increased production and use of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs). However, the increased use of various ENPs inevitably results in their release in or the contamination of the environment, which poses significant threats to human health. In recent years, extraordinary economic and societal benefits of nanoproducts as well as their potential risks have been observed and widely debated. To estimate whether ENPs are safe from the onset of their manufacturing to their disposal, evaluation of the toxicological effects of ENPs on human exposure, especially on more sensitive and vulnerable sectors of the population (infants and children) is essential.
  
  
  METHODS
  Papers were obtained from PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Literature search words included: "nanoparticles", "infants", "children", "exposure", "toxicity", and all relevant cross-references.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A brief overview was conducted to 1) characterize potential exposure routes of ENPs for infants and children; 2) describe the vulnerability and particular needs of infants and children about ENPs exposure; 3) investigate the current knowledge about the potential health hazards of ENPs; and 4) provide suggestions for future research and regulations in ENP applications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As the manufacturing and use of ENPs become more widespread, directed and focused studies are necessary to measure actual exposure levels and to determine adverse health consequences in infants and children.
authors.affiliation: The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, 79416, USA.
authors.forename: Song
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Mao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Kaylyn E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Germ
authors.forename: Hua-Mao
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Wen-Jie
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Wei-Min
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Gregory D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Mayer
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D000067576:Child Health; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004782:Environmental Health; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants