Chapter 3 – Mechanisms Underlying Toxicity of Complex Inorganic Materials

Abstract Complex inorganic materials have specific (eco-) toxic properties conveyed by the metals they are containing. The main principles governing the mechanisms of the toxicity of metals can therefore be applied when assessing complex inorganic materials, particularly in relation to the rate and extent to which these materials can produce soluble (bio)available ionic and other metal-bearing species (e.g. metal complexes). This chapter describes the key mechanistic aspects to consider when managing the human health and environmental risks of such materials, such as bioavailability, speciation, particle size, essentiality, or natural background. It also describes briefly the endpoints requiring the consideration of metal specificities when assessing the underlying mechanisms of toxicity.