Placental Toxicity of Nanomaterials and Assessment of Their Impact on Maternal and Child Health

Nanomaterials have unique functions due to their increased specific surface area compared to conventional materials. Various nanomaterials are already used in the production of many pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and foods; however, this also means that, regardless of age or gender, it is now impossible to avoid exposure to these unique materials. Currently, there are concerns that nanomaterials may induce unexpected toxicities due to their small size. In addition, safety evaluations related to the exposure of pregnant women and fetuses, who are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of chemicals, are lacking globally; therefore, our understanding of the reproductive and developmental effects of nanomaterials is insufficient. Our group expects that understanding more about how the toxic effects of nanomaterials manifest not just in the mother and fetus but also in the placenta, an essential organ for maintaining pregnancy and fetal development, will be crucial for improving our understanding of the mechanisms that underly the reproductive and developmental toxicities of nanomaterials. Based on this, we have conducted a correlation analysis of the physicochemical properties, kinetics, and toxicities of nanomaterials, focusing on the placenta. In this review, we introduce the results of our research about effects of silica nanoparticles on trophoblast syncytial formation and placental kinetics of silica nanoparticles.