TiO2 nanoparticles induce cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in human alveolar cells.

Background Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) such as TiO2 are widely used in products such as cosmetics, clothing, food packaging, drug delivery systems, etc. due to their unique physicochemical properties. This has increased the liklihood of ENP exposure in humans. As the ENPs are having small size and high diffusion coefficient, they can migrate rapidly in the air. Therefore, inhalation is considered to be the primary route of exposure to such ENPs. Hence, in the present study an attempt was made to assess the potential toxicological effects of TiO2 NPs in human alveolar cell line (A549).