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Environmental Effects of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) on Aquatic Organisms and the Potential Transfer of Their Toxicity to the Human Body Through the Food Chain
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Ali Reza Radkhah   , Soheil Eagderi * , Hadi Poorbagher , Sedigheh Atash Afrazeh |
| Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran |
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Abstract: (925 Views) |
Nanotechnology is a rapidly advancing field focused on the design, synthesis, and manipulation of materials at the nanoscale (1–100 nm). Its applications span numerous sectors, including medicine, healthcare, food, cosmetics, environmental science, electronics, energy, and biotechnology. Among nanomaterials, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained significant attention due to their excellent electrical conductivity and strong antimicrobial properties. As a result, their widespread industrial and medical use has led to a rapid increase in production and a growing risk of environmental release, particularly into aquatic ecosystems. Aquatic environments play a critical role in ecological balance and human food security, especially through fish consumption. This review study examines the environmental effects of AgNPs on aquatic organisms and the potential transfer of their toxicity to humans via the food chain. Evidence from scientific literature indicates that AgNPs can cause severe toxic effects in aquatic organisms, particularly fish, including oxidative stress, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, hematotoxicity, and DNA damage. The accumulation of AgNPs in fish raises concerns about human exposure through dietary intake. In humans, AgNP toxicity has been linked to adverse effects on multiple systems, including the digestive tract, lungs, liver, kidneys, nervous, reproductive, immune, and genetic systems, and may contribute to carcinogenesis. Given the increasing global cancer burden, these findings highlight the importance of regulating AgNP use. The results of this study can assist policymakers and environmental managers in minimizing ecological damage and preventing the transfer of AgNP toxicity through the food chain.
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| Keywords: Oxidative stress, Immunotoxicity, Neurotoxicity, Fish, Silver nanoparticles |
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Full-Text [PDF 1620 kb]
(155 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Review |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/01/1 | Accepted: 2025/02/11 | Published: 2025/12/23
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