11.1 The ConTexT
This chapter initially takes a look a broad look at health and health
delivery issues. Individuals and companies in the medical industry
are pouring enormous amounts of research effort into understanding how nanomaterials and nanotechnologies might aid in the promotion of human health. The properties of nanomaterials make
them attractive for many chemical and biological applications
that can assist human health. Nanotechnologies offer an amazing
potential in terms of implants with controllable or responsive
capabilities. Drug delivery methods appear to be a big opportunity
area, since nanomaterial characteristics can be designed for targeted
transport and delivery. Traditional areas, such as prosthetics, stand
to benefit in a whole series of ways.
Large amounts of evidence confirm the positive value of using
nanomaterials and nanotechnologies in health delivery, but there
are also reasonable concerns about how these same materials might
have detrimental health effects if not used carefully. Adverse health
effects may potentially occur from air- or waterborne nanoparticles
from natural sources or from conventional materials having nanoscale constituents that have been with us for a long time. Looking
carefully at potential impacts of the growing use of even smaller
nanomaterials in products all around us is both sensible and necessary. There are indeed health concerns about nanoparticles making
their way into humans as a consequence of humans’ direct contact
with products containing nanoparticles or via surroundings.
Similar observations can be made about nanomaterials in relation
to larger environmental issues. There is striking evidence that many
nanomaterial and nanotechnology applications can have quite
467
Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies
in Health and the Environment
Chap Ter 11
Nanomaterials, Nanotechnologies and Design
Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.
This chapter initially takes a look a broad look at health and health
delivery issues. Individuals and companies in the medical industry
are pouring enormous amounts of research effort into understanding how nanomaterials and nanotechnologies might aid in the promotion of human health. The properties of nanomaterials make
them attractive for many chemical and biological applications
that can assist human health. Nanotechnologies offer an amazing
potential in terms of implants with controllable or responsive
capabilities. Drug delivery methods appear to be a big opportunity
area, since nanomaterial characteristics can be designed for targeted
transport and delivery. Traditional areas, such as prosthetics, stand
to benefit in a whole series of ways.
Large amounts of evidence confirm the positive value of using
nanomaterials and nanotechnologies in health delivery, but there
are also reasonable concerns about how these same materials might
have detrimental health effects if not used carefully. Adverse health
effects may potentially occur from air- or waterborne nanoparticles
from natural sources or from conventional materials having nanoscale constituents that have been with us for a long time. Looking
carefully at potential impacts of the growing use of even smaller
nanomaterials in products all around us is both sensible and necessary. There are indeed health concerns about nanoparticles making
their way into humans as a consequence of humans’ direct contact
with products containing nanoparticles or via surroundings.
Similar observations can be made about nanomaterials in relation
to larger environmental issues. There is striking evidence that many
nanomaterial and nanotechnology applications can have quite
467
Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies
in Health and the Environment
Chap Ter 11
Nanomaterials, Nanotechnologies and Design
Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.