2.5
Implications and Fate of Nanotechnology
in the Environment
NPs are getting huge attention in various fields because of the diverse applications
and unique properties but industries are commercializing the NPs without proper
detail study, and tests of nanotoxicity leading to create nano-ecotoxicity. Overuse,
overproduction, commercialization, and disposal of the NPs have led to their
uncontrolled release in the ecosystem. Effluent streams from industries and factories,
landfills, commercial products, and incinerated products are the main sources of NPs
released in the environment. The fate and NPs interaction depend on various factors
such as shape, surface charge, etc. but the significant factor that regulates the
nanotoxicity is the small size of the NPs. An extremely small particle with the size
range of 1–10 nm acts analogous to a gas molecule and can enter the human body
effortlessly. Workers of nano-based commercial industries are more prone to occupational exposure to NPs. NPs that enters through the respiratory system can
interfere with the functioning of the cell (Khalili Fard et al. 2015; Bahadar et al.
2016). Other parameters that impact the nanotoxicity are shape, surface charge,
surface morphology, chemical composition, accumulation ability, and solubilization
(Caballero-Díaz et al. 2013; Conway et al. 2015). From all the nano-ecotoxicity
investigations, it has been concluded that the toxicity of NPs is dependent on various
factors and it is not controlled through any one factor. Therefore, every nanomaterial
should be assessed at the individual level in detail to confirm its safety. After
entering the environment, NPs undergoes dissolution, agglomeration, settling,
biological, or chemical transformation, mineralization, speciation (Conway et al.
2015; Kent and Vikesland 2016; Peng et al. 2017). Some NPs remain in the
environment and also display biomagnification in organisms that depend on its
stability (Smita et al. 2012).
2.5.1 Disadvantages and Implications of Nanomaterials
1. Nanomaterials unpredictability and instability: The kinetics of the
nanosubstances is very rapid and thus controlling their properties is extremely
challenging. To avoid the agglomeration of the particles, the encapsulation of the
NPs technique is used. Nanosubstances are corrosion resistant and vastly soluble.
Maintaining the structure of NMs is very challenging as their properties
deteriorate.
2. Fine metal nanopowders act as strong explosives in the presence of oxygen due to
their high surface area. Some nanopowders can effortlessly cause an explosion by
exothermic combustion.
3. Impurity: NMs are very reactive and root to agglomeration causing impurities.
Encapsulation of nanosubstances becomes essentials when they are fabricated
through chemical routes. Stabilization of NMs achieved when reactive particles
are coated with the nonreactive complex. But still, attaining the purity of NMs is
very problematic as impurities become part of the fabricated NMs.
2 Nanomaterials; Applications; Implications and Management
35
Implications and Fate of Nanotechnology
in the Environment
NPs are getting huge attention in various fields because of the diverse applications
and unique properties but industries are commercializing the NPs without proper
detail study, and tests of nanotoxicity leading to create nano-ecotoxicity. Overuse,
overproduction, commercialization, and disposal of the NPs have led to their
uncontrolled release in the ecosystem. Effluent streams from industries and factories,
landfills, commercial products, and incinerated products are the main sources of NPs
released in the environment. The fate and NPs interaction depend on various factors
such as shape, surface charge, etc. but the significant factor that regulates the
nanotoxicity is the small size of the NPs. An extremely small particle with the size
range of 1–10 nm acts analogous to a gas molecule and can enter the human body
effortlessly. Workers of nano-based commercial industries are more prone to occupational exposure to NPs. NPs that enters through the respiratory system can
interfere with the functioning of the cell (Khalili Fard et al. 2015; Bahadar et al.
2016). Other parameters that impact the nanotoxicity are shape, surface charge,
surface morphology, chemical composition, accumulation ability, and solubilization
(Caballero-Díaz et al. 2013; Conway et al. 2015). From all the nano-ecotoxicity
investigations, it has been concluded that the toxicity of NPs is dependent on various
factors and it is not controlled through any one factor. Therefore, every nanomaterial
should be assessed at the individual level in detail to confirm its safety. After
entering the environment, NPs undergoes dissolution, agglomeration, settling,
biological, or chemical transformation, mineralization, speciation (Conway et al.
2015; Kent and Vikesland 2016; Peng et al. 2017). Some NPs remain in the
environment and also display biomagnification in organisms that depend on its
stability (Smita et al. 2012).
2.5.1 Disadvantages and Implications of Nanomaterials
1. Nanomaterials unpredictability and instability: The kinetics of the
nanosubstances is very rapid and thus controlling their properties is extremely
challenging. To avoid the agglomeration of the particles, the encapsulation of the
NPs technique is used. Nanosubstances are corrosion resistant and vastly soluble.
Maintaining the structure of NMs is very challenging as their properties
deteriorate.
2. Fine metal nanopowders act as strong explosives in the presence of oxygen due to
their high surface area. Some nanopowders can effortlessly cause an explosion by
exothermic combustion.
3. Impurity: NMs are very reactive and root to agglomeration causing impurities.
Encapsulation of nanosubstances becomes essentials when they are fabricated
through chemical routes. Stabilization of NMs achieved when reactive particles
are coated with the nonreactive complex. But still, attaining the purity of NMs is
very problematic as impurities become part of the fabricated NMs.
2 Nanomaterials; Applications; Implications and Management
35