Principles and applications of nanoinformatics in environmental health: Five key tools to support health and safety oversight in nanomaterials applications

The manipulation of matter at a near-atomic and molecular scale has resulted in the production of new structures, materials, and devices. In essence, this process is called nanotechnology - a promising scientific and technological advancement - which has applications in many areas of consumer and industrial products, including medicine, cosmetics, energy, sensors, and in manufacturing. Although no formal definition for nanotechnology, generally it involves engineered nanoparticles, nanostructures, nano-devices, nanomaterials and systems with various sizes that range from 1 to 100 nanometers. At this size, materials begin to exhibit unique properties that impact on their physical, chemical, and biological behavior that may not be similar to counterpart bulk materials. With recent advances in research to synthesize and characterize engineered nanoparticles and nanomaterials, concerns have emerged for their impact on safety and human health. The principles and application of nanoinformatics are reviewed to further understand how to prevent and minimize exposures to engineered nanoparticles, and hence, prevent potential injuries and illnesses associated with exposures. Five nanoinformatics tools are presented and illustration given on how the tools can support occupational and environmental health oversight in nanomaterials applications.