Comparison of toxicities from three metal oxide nanoparticles at environmental relevant concentrations in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

► We compared toxicities of 30 nm metal oxide NPs at environmental relevant concentrations. ► Prolonged exposure (L1-larvae-adult) was performed for NPs toxicity assay in nematode. ► Adverse effects of Ti-NPs and Zn-NPs were detected at the concentration of 0.05 μg L−1. ► In vivo toxicity order for the examined NPs was: Zn-NPs > TiO2-NPs > SiO2-NPs. ► Antioxidants treatment inhibited the adverse effects of Ti-NPs, Zn-NPs, and Si-NPs.