3
research and development in almost all industries. Even though the philosophy of
research into nanotechnology has been found for the past 60 years, the impact of
these new nanomaterials, nanoscale processes, and nanotechnology-based manufacturing entities has not been completely understood. Research in nanotechnology
has allowed scientists to begin manipulating the molecular design of a material’s
substructure and environmentally developed nanoparticles, which has changed the
properties of materials to benefit the given industry. But the adverse chemical, environmental, or synthetic design of nanoparticles could cause defects that are more
harmful than good. Because of the depth of research that has gone into nanotechnology, scientists must also understand the impact that these new materials will cause.
This has led to new methodology and research, including the possibility that nanotechnology will cause adverse reactions and not just positive outcomes. This new
ideology has created a new methodology for nanotechnology waste and modification standards. The new methodology has become important to researchers, environmentalists, and society. The focus of this chapter is on introducing the
classifications, current state, market impact, and safety issues that have risen in the
recent years.
1.2 Study of Nanotoxicity and Nanoecotoxicology
Ecotoxicology has been described as the study of the effects of toxic chemicals on
biological organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems (NOAA 2017).
Ecotoxicology is a field that incorporates toxicology and ecological methodology.
The ideology of this slant is to predict the effects of toxins on organisms. This prediction helps discover the most efficient and effective action to prevent or remedy
any harmful effect on biological entities, and to identify and classify the harmful
effects of the toxin. As knowledge about nanotechnology increases, it has become
necessary to evaluate the effects of nanomaterials on environmental organisms. This
has led to the emergence of nanoecotoxicology, a new branch of ecotoxicology.
Here, the specific goal has been devoted to engineered nanomaterials. The evaluation and study of environmental hazards of nanomaterials is needed because a harmful experience will likely occur during the lifecycle of a nanoproduct. The ability for
researchers and scientists to perform a valid risk assessment will be an important
step on the road to a justifiable development of nanotechnology and comprehensive
acceptance in the society. Review boards to develop standardized test methods and
standardized operating procedures, similar to those of the Environmental Protection
Agency, to identify adverse effects of nanomaterials are still being developed and
discussed across all scientific fields.
An understanding of how nanomaterials network with other organisms on a
molecular or cellular level is needed to create testing and experimental procedures.
Research is limited on the different types of nanomaterial molecular interaction
with organisms. Table 1.1 lists the nanoparticles and associated research studies
conducted to date.
1 Nanotoxicity and Nanoecotoxicity: Introduction, Principles, and Concepts
research and development in almost all industries. Even though the philosophy of
research into nanotechnology has been found for the past 60 years, the impact of
these new nanomaterials, nanoscale processes, and nanotechnology-based manufacturing entities has not been completely understood. Research in nanotechnology
has allowed scientists to begin manipulating the molecular design of a material’s
substructure and environmentally developed nanoparticles, which has changed the
properties of materials to benefit the given industry. But the adverse chemical, environmental, or synthetic design of nanoparticles could cause defects that are more
harmful than good. Because of the depth of research that has gone into nanotechnology, scientists must also understand the impact that these new materials will cause.
This has led to new methodology and research, including the possibility that nanotechnology will cause adverse reactions and not just positive outcomes. This new
ideology has created a new methodology for nanotechnology waste and modification standards. The new methodology has become important to researchers, environmentalists, and society. The focus of this chapter is on introducing the
classifications, current state, market impact, and safety issues that have risen in the
recent years.
1.2 Study of Nanotoxicity and Nanoecotoxicology
Ecotoxicology has been described as the study of the effects of toxic chemicals on
biological organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems (NOAA 2017).
Ecotoxicology is a field that incorporates toxicology and ecological methodology.
The ideology of this slant is to predict the effects of toxins on organisms. This prediction helps discover the most efficient and effective action to prevent or remedy
any harmful effect on biological entities, and to identify and classify the harmful
effects of the toxin. As knowledge about nanotechnology increases, it has become
necessary to evaluate the effects of nanomaterials on environmental organisms. This
has led to the emergence of nanoecotoxicology, a new branch of ecotoxicology.
Here, the specific goal has been devoted to engineered nanomaterials. The evaluation and study of environmental hazards of nanomaterials is needed because a harmful experience will likely occur during the lifecycle of a nanoproduct. The ability for
researchers and scientists to perform a valid risk assessment will be an important
step on the road to a justifiable development of nanotechnology and comprehensive
acceptance in the society. Review boards to develop standardized test methods and
standardized operating procedures, similar to those of the Environmental Protection
Agency, to identify adverse effects of nanomaterials are still being developed and
discussed across all scientific fields.
An understanding of how nanomaterials network with other organisms on a
molecular or cellular level is needed to create testing and experimental procedures.
Research is limited on the different types of nanomaterial molecular interaction
with organisms. Table 1.1 lists the nanoparticles and associated research studies
conducted to date.
1 Nanotoxicity and Nanoecotoxicity: Introduction, Principles, and Concepts