190
in the formulation phase of the problem of risk assessment and detailing the potential adverse effect may help reducing the risk uncertainties for the nanoparticles.
A material at the nanometer scale has a greater relative surface area and can display quantum effects (Khan et al. 2017). As a consequence, nanostructures can present diverse characteristics, such as changes in solubility, electrical conductivity,
elasticity, chemical reactivity, and bioavailability, compared to the material at the
micro- or macroscale. Thus, risk and toxicological aspects are considered essential
in the safety analysis processes of new nanomaterial particles, once they can be used
in the food chain in applications spanning from encapsulation systems for delivery
of food ingredients and those adapted for use in food packaging. In the case of food,
the indicators that should draw the attention of the evaluators are related to the
potential risks of altering the nanoparticle bioavailability of the food in the organism
and migration of the nanoparticle present in the packages (films, coatings, among
others) to food, and ultimately to the ecosystems.
Agricultural and veterinary applications focus attention on the monitoring of
environmental indicators such as those related to generation of chemical residues or
heavy metals in laboratories or industries of nanostructures and change in water
quality in the surroundings of the industries that produce nanostructured products,
for example (Rajaganapathy et al. 2011; Alves et al. 2016; Ali et al. 2019). In the
environmental case, the indicators that should draw the attention of the evaluators
are related to the potential risks associated with persistence and bioaccumulation of
the nanoparticle in the environment, soil, and water contamination due to the dispersion of nanoparticle applied in agriculture. In addition to the possibility of a
nanoparticle presenting toxicity and/or ecotoxicity, special attention for inappropriate disposal of products or wastes containing nanoparticles should be given. These
indicator tolls tend to reduce the time lag between the production of knowledge or
technology and the development of criteria for the safety evaluation for the environment and society, focusing its effective use by the public power and the productive
sector, contributing to safety development and use of nanotechnology.
7.4 Conclusion and Final Remarks
In this chapter, we presented some results regarding the syntheses and ecotoxicity
of several important nanostructures (including silver nanoparticles, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, graphene oxide, etc.), which are nowadays widely applied in
technological applications. Focus was given on toxicological aspects of these nanostructures toward algae, microcrustaceans, and fishes, which represent three trophic
levels including one primary producer (algae) and primary (microcrustaceans) and
secondary consumers (fish). Results revealed that the nature, shape, and medium
where the nanostructure reside could strongly influence their toxicities toward distinct aquatic microorganisms.
Regarding ecotoxicity, it is important to study the effects of sedimentation in real
situation, which sometimes are not taken into account during laboratory tests.
F. F. Pereira et al.
in the formulation phase of the problem of risk assessment and detailing the potential adverse effect may help reducing the risk uncertainties for the nanoparticles.
A material at the nanometer scale has a greater relative surface area and can display quantum effects (Khan et al. 2017). As a consequence, nanostructures can present diverse characteristics, such as changes in solubility, electrical conductivity,
elasticity, chemical reactivity, and bioavailability, compared to the material at the
micro- or macroscale. Thus, risk and toxicological aspects are considered essential
in the safety analysis processes of new nanomaterial particles, once they can be used
in the food chain in applications spanning from encapsulation systems for delivery
of food ingredients and those adapted for use in food packaging. In the case of food,
the indicators that should draw the attention of the evaluators are related to the
potential risks of altering the nanoparticle bioavailability of the food in the organism
and migration of the nanoparticle present in the packages (films, coatings, among
others) to food, and ultimately to the ecosystems.
Agricultural and veterinary applications focus attention on the monitoring of
environmental indicators such as those related to generation of chemical residues or
heavy metals in laboratories or industries of nanostructures and change in water
quality in the surroundings of the industries that produce nanostructured products,
for example (Rajaganapathy et al. 2011; Alves et al. 2016; Ali et al. 2019). In the
environmental case, the indicators that should draw the attention of the evaluators
are related to the potential risks associated with persistence and bioaccumulation of
the nanoparticle in the environment, soil, and water contamination due to the dispersion of nanoparticle applied in agriculture. In addition to the possibility of a
nanoparticle presenting toxicity and/or ecotoxicity, special attention for inappropriate disposal of products or wastes containing nanoparticles should be given. These
indicator tolls tend to reduce the time lag between the production of knowledge or
technology and the development of criteria for the safety evaluation for the environment and society, focusing its effective use by the public power and the productive
sector, contributing to safety development and use of nanotechnology.
7.4 Conclusion and Final Remarks
In this chapter, we presented some results regarding the syntheses and ecotoxicity
of several important nanostructures (including silver nanoparticles, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, graphene oxide, etc.), which are nowadays widely applied in
technological applications. Focus was given on toxicological aspects of these nanostructures toward algae, microcrustaceans, and fishes, which represent three trophic
levels including one primary producer (algae) and primary (microcrustaceans) and
secondary consumers (fish). Results revealed that the nature, shape, and medium
where the nanostructure reside could strongly influence their toxicities toward distinct aquatic microorganisms.
Regarding ecotoxicity, it is important to study the effects of sedimentation in real
situation, which sometimes are not taken into account during laboratory tests.
F. F. Pereira et al.