Toxicity of Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract The growing use of nanomaterials in consumer and industrial products has aroused global concern about their possible toxicological effects on biological systems. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) hold great potential for biomedical applications, and consequently it is mandatory to consider their toxicological impact on human health and environment. This chapter gathers, on the one hand, the most relevant biomedical applications of AuNPs, in order to provide a better understanding about the need for evaluating the toxicological profile of these nanoparticles. On the other hand, the chapter goes into detail about aspects related to the toxicity of AuNPs, including cellular uptake processes, toxicity mechanisms, influential factors, and available methods for assessment, among others. In addition, the main findings arising from recent in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies about AuNPs are presented. Finally, principal limitations found in current assessment protocols are discussed in a general context.