Introduction

Using nanotechnology, researchers are able to produce green energy, purify drinking water, and preserve food. Numerous nanomaterials-based products are already available for daily use. However, the risks of new synthesized materials are also important to know, and it is necessary to generate information about the health and other hazards of engineered nanoparticles. Different properties are directly linked with the physical goods, i.e., shape, size, structure, surface chemistry, agglomeration state, dissolution rate, and many others. These properties can alter with the size and shape of nanomaterials and can be toxic, potentially putting the health and safety of workers, and the wider biological system, at great risk. It is necessary to develop different strategies in order to develop and commercialize nanomaterials with proper risk and safety evaluation. In this chapter we will provide a brief introduction to the characterization, health hazards, and safety evaluation of nanomaterials.