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Nanotechnology can be broadly described as developing or exploiting products at nanometre dimensions (i.e. as having one dimension less than 100 nanometres). Such materials have a larger surface area to volume ratio than conventional materials which provides them with an increased level of reactivity, and consequently, toxicity per unit mass. This book sets the subject into context by first of all describing the current range of products containing nano-materials and then looking at the consequences for the environment and human health relating to the introduction of nanoparticles and nano-tubes. <EM>Nanotechnology: Consequences for Human Health and the Environment discusses some of the more controversial issues associated with the field including: nanoparticles in the environment, occupational exposure, toxicological properties, human health issues and safety.
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ISSUES IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDITORS: R.E. HESTER AND R.M. HARRISON
24 Nanotechnology: Consequences for Human Health and the Environment
ISBN-13: 978-0-85404-216-6 ISSN: 1350-7583 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library r The Royal Society of Chemistry 2007 All rights reserved Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of research for non-commercial purposes or for private study, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and the Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003, this publication may not be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of The Royal Society of Chemistry, or in the case of reproduction in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency in the UK, or in accordance with the terms of the licences issued by the appropriate Reproduction Rights Organization outside the UK. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside the terms stated here should be sent to The Royal Society of Chemistry at the address printed on this page. Published by The Royal Society of Chemistry, Thomas Graham House, Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0WF, UK Registered Charity Number 207890 For further information see our web site at www.rsc.org
Preface Few outside of the world of science and technology have much concept of what nanotechnology involves. It is defined in terms of products and processes involving nanometre (i.e. 10 9 or 0.000 000 001 m) dimensions but this gives no flavour for what is truly involved. What may be surprising to many is that there is a massive thrust of research and development leading to new products involving nanoscale materials and it is projected that this will be a multi-billion dollar industry within a matter of a few years. Having in the past failed to anticipate the adverse public health consequences of products such as asbestos, governments around the world are investing resource into assessing the possible adverse consequences arising from the present and future application of nanotechnologies. This led the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK to publish an expert report on the topic under the title of ‘‘Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties’’. One manifestation of this government’s concern is that in the UK a system has been introduced by the government for the voluntary notification of products and processes using nanoscale materials. Some nanoscale materials such as carbon black, titanium dioxide and silica have been in high tonnage production in industry for many years, with a wide range of uses. However, a vast range of other nanoscale materials are now being produced with uses as diverse as manufacturing tennis balls which retain their bounce for longer and underwear with an antimicrobial coating. The concerns over nanoparticles and nanotubes relate to the obs