ABSTRACT Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are increasingly applied in agriculture to improve crop yield, nutrient efficiency, and food quality. This study examines the environmental transformation of ENMs, their uptake in plants, and their transfer across the agri‐food chain leading to human exposure. ENMs undergo physicochemical changes in soil and water, which influence their stability, mobility, and bioavailability. These materials are absorbed by plant roots and translocated to edible tissues, enabling their entry into higher trophic levels. Experimental evidence indicates that ENMs can induce oxidative stress, inflammation, and genotoxic effects in plants and animals. The extent of these effects depends on particle size, composition, surface properties, and environmental conditions. The gastrointestinal tract serves as the primary route for systemic absorption of food chain‐derived ENMs in humans. This integrative approach distinguishes the present study from others that treat environmental fate and toxicity independently. Future research should focus on safe‐by‐design strategies, long‐term exposure assessment, and improved risk evaluation frameworks to ensure the sustainable use of nanotechnology in agri‐food systems.
Soumitra Nath (Wed,) studied this question.