Fig. 5

A summary of the health consequences from inhaled nanomaterials (NMs). Following inhalation, NMs enter airway cells, lymph nodes and the circulatory system including an ability to cross the blood-brain barrier through the olfactory system. They can accumulate in organs including the lungs, liver and brain leading to a range of disease states. Some NMs influence the human immune system and interfere with phagocyte (e.g. macrophage) function