Environmental Impact and Health and Safety Risks of Nanotechnology Materials

Environmental Impact of Nanotechnology Materials

Basic Concepts and Terminology

Nanotechnology: The manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale, creating materials with unique properties.
Nanoscale: At the scale of approximately 1 to 100 nanometres, where quantum mechanical effects can be very important.
Nanomaterials: Materials that have structured components with at least one dimension less than 100 nanometres.

Environmental Impact

Nanomaterials can have unpredictable behaviour in the environment due to their size, shape, surface properties, and reactivity.
Some nanomaterials can be toxic to organisms and ecosystems. For example, nanosilver used in consumer products can be toxic to aquatic and terrestrial organisms.
Nanomaterials can accumulate in the environment over time, leading to higher concentrations and increasing potential for harm.
The manufacturing of nanomaterials often requires high energy input and can produce hazardous waste, contributing to environmental degradation.
However, some aspects of nanotechnology could bring environmental benefits, such as improving energy efficiency, reducing waste, or cleaning up pollution.

Health and Safety Risks of Nanotechnology Materials

Basic Concepts

As nanomaterials can behave differently to larger-scale materials, there is potential for unique health and safety risks.

Health Risks

Inhalation is a major concern, as nanoparticles can easily be inhaled and may reach the lungs and bloodstream.
Nanoparticles may be absorbed through the skin or ingested, posing potential risks.
Some nanoparticles have been found to be toxic to human cells, causing damage or death to cells.
There is potential for long-term health effects from exposure, but much is still unknown as research is ongoing.

Safety Risks

Fire and explosion hazards: Some nanomaterials can be highly reactive and potentially explosive.
Nanoparticles can form aerosols which can lead to contamination of areas outside of the intended delivery method.
Existing safety equipment may not be sufficient to protect against nanoparticles.
Disposal and recycling of nanotechnology products can pose safety risks due to the potential release of nanoparticles.

While nanotechnology carries potential risks, proper control and management strategies can help mitigate these risks, and ongoing research is essential to understand these risks better.