quantities (Fabrega et al. 2011). Many studies have been conducted from time to
time to show irreparable damage to the exposed aquatic animals. An ecotoxicological indicator, largemouth bass, is susceptible to C60 fullerenes as they cause serious
brain injuries to the bass. A huge population of water fleas is reported to diminish
because of the presence of fullerenes (C60) (Lyon et al. 2006). Quantum dots owing
to their extreme small dimensions along with higher reactivity and association with
heavy metals contributes to the toxic impacts of nanomaterials (Moore 2006). They
can cause serious damage to the cells of the organisms by the relocation of energy to
adjacent oxygen molecules due to the formation of reactive oxygen species (Derfus
et al. 2004). Most of the contaminants of emerging concerns commonly termed as
CECs are carcinogenic in nature, thus aggravating the situation aroused by legacy
pollutants. Many studies have authenticated the presence of these contaminants in
water even in ppm levels (Ashton et al. 2004). A study conducted by Hughes et al. on
water bodies testified the presence of around 180 medicinal drugs that proved their
toxic nature against water life (Hughes et al. 2013). Hydrogeochemistry of the
pollutants is greatly influenced by their geogenic sources, thus causing the longterm effects when released out from the leftover personal care products (Kumar et al.
2018).
3.5.2 Effects on Atmosphere
Nps have potential of imparting negative impacts on the air quality by altering the
composition ratio of constituents. Airborne source of Nps can be indoor such as
heating or may be outdoor arising from either natural cause such as coal fires (Sehn
et al. 2016) or might be due to anthropogenic factors working on industrial levels
such as spanning industry and power plants (Saikia et al. 2018). Transportational
emissions are the core emitter of Nps laden pollution in the city areas, contributing
nearly 90% of the share (Johansson et al. 2007). Being in nanoscale these particles
are easily carried out by air and get dispersed for several days, thus causing health
concerns as they can easily drip from pulmonary clearance and get deposited in the
lungs of animals and humans (Mao et al. 2014). Vehicular emissions from the roads
are a major contributor of air pollution laded with Nps. Magnetite Nps owing to their
small dimensions ranging from 2–200 nm, abundance formation and toxic terms are
categorized as malicious and chronic neurotoxicants that have the potential of
causing damage to brain by crossing blood–brain barrier (Levesque et al. 2011).
Many cases have been reported which reflects the direct and irreversible relation
between airborne Nps exposure and damages and injuries to olfactory nerves of
brains (Maher et al. 2016). Workers of welding industries who deals with the
manufacturing of magnetic Nps are among the higher risk groups with extremely
higher chances of inhalation of magnetic Nps that can cause Alzheimer’s disease
(Maher 2019). Air-driven Nps hold a greater risk to the living communities because
of their highly reactive nature and toxicity that can boost their affinity with living
cells, tissues, organs and organ systems as well (Li et al. 2003). Once entered in the
body through nasal path, they can either take the pathway of blood circulation or get
3 Environmental Nanotechnology: Its Applications, Effects and Management
59
time to show irreparable damage to the exposed aquatic animals. An ecotoxicological indicator, largemouth bass, is susceptible to C60 fullerenes as they cause serious
brain injuries to the bass. A huge population of water fleas is reported to diminish
because of the presence of fullerenes (C60) (Lyon et al. 2006). Quantum dots owing
to their extreme small dimensions along with higher reactivity and association with
heavy metals contributes to the toxic impacts of nanomaterials (Moore 2006). They
can cause serious damage to the cells of the organisms by the relocation of energy to
adjacent oxygen molecules due to the formation of reactive oxygen species (Derfus
et al. 2004). Most of the contaminants of emerging concerns commonly termed as
CECs are carcinogenic in nature, thus aggravating the situation aroused by legacy
pollutants. Many studies have authenticated the presence of these contaminants in
water even in ppm levels (Ashton et al. 2004). A study conducted by Hughes et al. on
water bodies testified the presence of around 180 medicinal drugs that proved their
toxic nature against water life (Hughes et al. 2013). Hydrogeochemistry of the
pollutants is greatly influenced by their geogenic sources, thus causing the longterm effects when released out from the leftover personal care products (Kumar et al.
2018).
3.5.2 Effects on Atmosphere
Nps have potential of imparting negative impacts on the air quality by altering the
composition ratio of constituents. Airborne source of Nps can be indoor such as
heating or may be outdoor arising from either natural cause such as coal fires (Sehn
et al. 2016) or might be due to anthropogenic factors working on industrial levels
such as spanning industry and power plants (Saikia et al. 2018). Transportational
emissions are the core emitter of Nps laden pollution in the city areas, contributing
nearly 90% of the share (Johansson et al. 2007). Being in nanoscale these particles
are easily carried out by air and get dispersed for several days, thus causing health
concerns as they can easily drip from pulmonary clearance and get deposited in the
lungs of animals and humans (Mao et al. 2014). Vehicular emissions from the roads
are a major contributor of air pollution laded with Nps. Magnetite Nps owing to their
small dimensions ranging from 2–200 nm, abundance formation and toxic terms are
categorized as malicious and chronic neurotoxicants that have the potential of
causing damage to brain by crossing blood–brain barrier (Levesque et al. 2011).
Many cases have been reported which reflects the direct and irreversible relation
between airborne Nps exposure and damages and injuries to olfactory nerves of
brains (Maher et al. 2016). Workers of welding industries who deals with the
manufacturing of magnetic Nps are among the higher risk groups with extremely
higher chances of inhalation of magnetic Nps that can cause Alzheimer’s disease
(Maher 2019). Air-driven Nps hold a greater risk to the living communities because
of their highly reactive nature and toxicity that can boost their affinity with living
cells, tissues, organs and organ systems as well (Li et al. 2003). Once entered in the
body through nasal path, they can either take the pathway of blood circulation or get
3 Environmental Nanotechnology: Its Applications, Effects and Management
59