Abstract: Nanomaterials have unique physical and chemical properties such as small size effect, large surface area, high reactivity, and quantum effects. These features make the nanoscience as one of the three pillars of the world science (life science, information science, nanoscience). With the industrialization of nanotechnology, various forms of nanoscale materials have came into human life in different ways, and biosafety of nanomaterials are increasingly attracting attention of scientists around the world. This article emphasizes the importance of biosafety of nanomaterials, systemically discusses the research accomplishments in biosafety of metal oxides and carbon nanomaterials, and provides the prospects of this field.

Key words: biological effect, carbon nanomaterial, metal oxides nanomaterial, nanomaterial