C hapTer 11 nanomaterials and nanotechnologies
498
human bodies. Strongly bound particles were noted as less likely
to be problematic than free or weakly bound ones. This issue is a
critical one in thinking about more general environmental effects
and risks.
Serious research is beginning to emerge in this area. Many questions
are simply unanswered or poorly understood. Questions raised are
many and include the following: What are sources and means by
which nanomaterials might enter the environment (briefly outlined
in this chapter but for which more quantitative understandings are
needed)? What specific compositions, types, and sizes of nanomaterials are most likely to enter various parts of an ecosystem?
If and how are particular nanomaterials subsequently dispersed or
accumulated in various parts of an ecological system? What factors
influence bioaccumulations? How might nanomaterials in the environment possibly bind to other substances already present, or interact with them? How might they be broadly transported throughout
a system? What are specific pathways for nanomaterials in the environment to enter specific types of animal, plant, or human communities, and are there any special concentration or bioinduced
accumulations or magnification that could take place? What kinds
of chemical or physical transformations occur during these many
processes? What specific types of effects, including adverse ones,
are there on the many components of an ecological system—for
example, how are specific plant or aquatic communities, such as
algae, affected?
The research community is beginning to deal with these and other
questions. Relatively little is known about them, and individuals
seeking definitive and validated “answers” concerning the impact
of nanomaterials on the environment in general or on various ecological communities will not find them. Whether nanomaterials of
one type or another can make their way into the environment is
not the basic question being addressed; rather, it is one of type,
extent, and subsequent impact, as quantitatively understood. Many
research groups are focusing on one or another of the research
needs noted in this chapter, and evaluations of environmental risks
are part of many formal research overviews and reports sponsored
by various governmental and scientific organizations concerned
with the environment (see Further Reading).
Workplace sources and exposures
Some settings are expected to be particularly problematic and
should receive special mitigation attention. Exposure through
498
human bodies. Strongly bound particles were noted as less likely
to be problematic than free or weakly bound ones. This issue is a
critical one in thinking about more general environmental effects
and risks.
Serious research is beginning to emerge in this area. Many questions
are simply unanswered or poorly understood. Questions raised are
many and include the following: What are sources and means by
which nanomaterials might enter the environment (briefly outlined
in this chapter but for which more quantitative understandings are
needed)? What specific compositions, types, and sizes of nanomaterials are most likely to enter various parts of an ecosystem?
If and how are particular nanomaterials subsequently dispersed or
accumulated in various parts of an ecological system? What factors
influence bioaccumulations? How might nanomaterials in the environment possibly bind to other substances already present, or interact with them? How might they be broadly transported throughout
a system? What are specific pathways for nanomaterials in the environment to enter specific types of animal, plant, or human communities, and are there any special concentration or bioinduced
accumulations or magnification that could take place? What kinds
of chemical or physical transformations occur during these many
processes? What specific types of effects, including adverse ones,
are there on the many components of an ecological system—for
example, how are specific plant or aquatic communities, such as
algae, affected?
The research community is beginning to deal with these and other
questions. Relatively little is known about them, and individuals
seeking definitive and validated “answers” concerning the impact
of nanomaterials on the environment in general or on various ecological communities will not find them. Whether nanomaterials of
one type or another can make their way into the environment is
not the basic question being addressed; rather, it is one of type,
extent, and subsequent impact, as quantitatively understood. Many
research groups are focusing on one or another of the research
needs noted in this chapter, and evaluations of environmental risks
are part of many formal research overviews and reports sponsored
by various governmental and scientific organizations concerned
with the environment (see Further Reading).
Workplace sources and exposures
Some settings are expected to be particularly problematic and
should receive special mitigation attention. Exposure through