| Aspect |
Conventional Nanoparticles |
Nanomedicines |
| Design goal |
Engineering/tech performance |
Medical benefit |
| Physicochemical properties |
Generally uniform,
homogenous;
relatively insoluble |
Generally heterogenous;
soluble components |
| Human exposure |
Unintended |
Intended |
| Risk assessment |
Hazard identification; appropriate controls |
Safety characterized in development; aim for favorablebenefit:risk |
| Regulatory authority oversight (US) |
OSHA, EPA |
FDA |
