307
11.10 Concluding Remarks, Challenges, and Perspectives
As the potentials and possibility of nanomaterials is well established, green and
sustainable growth of nanotechnology is particularly imperative keeping environmental concern in mind. Environmental legislations must be promoted to develop
ENPs with innovative parameters such as minimal mobility in environmental media
and little or no toxicological effects for humans and ecology. The amount of introduction of nanoparticle in the ecological media is mounting speedily due to the
numerous alternative green methods available today in both academia and industry.
To date, enumeration of analytical environmental concentrations (hazard and exposure) of many popular nanoparticles is still not available. However, release and
monitoring of ENPs/ENMs are required to be computed based on risk assessment
and life cycle design concept.
Furthermore, to comprehend the long-lasting effect of ENPs/ENMs on the
human health and ecology, extensive ecotoxicological data regarding their bioaccumulation and trophic transfer are required.
While it is widely accepted that many cited works have been carried out over the
past decade, it goes without saying that the potential negative effects of engineered
nanoparticles have been neglected. Here, we review the major observations emanating from recent works.
• There is dearth of evidence on the transformation of engineered nanoparticles.
(a) For instance, how transformations take place or expected at various conditions such as types of electrolytes used and their concentrations; pH of the
preparing solution; nanoparticles’ particle size and effect of coating, if any;
interactions with the environmental media and different physicochemical
conditions, etc.? What are the transformation pathways of the nanoparticles?
How does bioactivity and biotransformation or modification affected by
media composition and trophic interaction?
(b) How many potential stable species of transformed/aged nanoparticles exist
in natural media and how do they interact with biota?
• In-depth evidence from in vivo studies is required to truly reflect on fate, behavior, and transport of the engineered nanoparticles as the in vitro ecological studies do not necessarily mirror the factual effects of engineered nanoparticles in
natural environmental media.
• Although a plethora of literature data are available on greener synthesis of
nanoparticles, there is lack of approach toward cost-effective quality by design
products, a thorough appreciative understanding and production of safer by
design (ecosafe) products.
• Long-term experiments along with life cycle analysis to squarely reflect the
release and exposure conditions at all ecosystem level are crucial to minimize the
possible ecotoxicity of nanoparticles in different species.
11 Environmental Impact and Econanotoxicity of Engineered Nanomaterials
11.10 Concluding Remarks, Challenges, and Perspectives
As the potentials and possibility of nanomaterials is well established, green and
sustainable growth of nanotechnology is particularly imperative keeping environmental concern in mind. Environmental legislations must be promoted to develop
ENPs with innovative parameters such as minimal mobility in environmental media
and little or no toxicological effects for humans and ecology. The amount of introduction of nanoparticle in the ecological media is mounting speedily due to the
numerous alternative green methods available today in both academia and industry.
To date, enumeration of analytical environmental concentrations (hazard and exposure) of many popular nanoparticles is still not available. However, release and
monitoring of ENPs/ENMs are required to be computed based on risk assessment
and life cycle design concept.
Furthermore, to comprehend the long-lasting effect of ENPs/ENMs on the
human health and ecology, extensive ecotoxicological data regarding their bioaccumulation and trophic transfer are required.
While it is widely accepted that many cited works have been carried out over the
past decade, it goes without saying that the potential negative effects of engineered
nanoparticles have been neglected. Here, we review the major observations emanating from recent works.
• There is dearth of evidence on the transformation of engineered nanoparticles.
(a) For instance, how transformations take place or expected at various conditions such as types of electrolytes used and their concentrations; pH of the
preparing solution; nanoparticles’ particle size and effect of coating, if any;
interactions with the environmental media and different physicochemical
conditions, etc.? What are the transformation pathways of the nanoparticles?
How does bioactivity and biotransformation or modification affected by
media composition and trophic interaction?
(b) How many potential stable species of transformed/aged nanoparticles exist
in natural media and how do they interact with biota?
• In-depth evidence from in vivo studies is required to truly reflect on fate, behavior, and transport of the engineered nanoparticles as the in vitro ecological studies do not necessarily mirror the factual effects of engineered nanoparticles in
natural environmental media.
• Although a plethora of literature data are available on greener synthesis of
nanoparticles, there is lack of approach toward cost-effective quality by design
products, a thorough appreciative understanding and production of safer by
design (ecosafe) products.
• Long-term experiments along with life cycle analysis to squarely reflect the
release and exposure conditions at all ecosystem level are crucial to minimize the
possible ecotoxicity of nanoparticles in different species.
11 Environmental Impact and Econanotoxicity of Engineered Nanomaterials