This document discusses the risks of nanotechnology related to soil, air and water pollution. It begins by outlining the objectives of understanding the nature and characteristics of nanoparticles, the manufacturing processes used and their byproducts, and how nanoparticles may behave in the environment. It then discusses some examples of consumer products containing nanoparticles and potential health issues if nanoparticles are inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. Environmental groups are concerned about a lack of research on nanoparticle impacts and the need for regulation and oversight of nanotechnology. In conclusion, while nanotechnology has potential benefits, new risk assessment and regulatory approaches may be needed to understand and mitigate potential negative environmental and health impacts.

1. Soil, Air and Water pollution :
Risks of Nanotechnology
PRESENTED BY AJAL.A.J
FACULTY- Dept of ECE
FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2. NANO
AIR WATER SOIL
Objective
• Nature of Nano particles
themselves.
• Characteristics of the
products made.
• Manufacturing processes
involved.
As nano-xyz is
manufactured, what
materials are used?
• What waste is produced?
• Are toxic substances used in
the manufacturing of nano-
xyz?
• What happens when nano-xyz
gets into the air, soil, water,
or biota?
NanotechnologyNanotechnology
for thefor the
EnvironmentEnvironment
Nanites = “Servants of Humanity”

3. What is expected through nanotechnology development?
 It is expected to provide driving
forces for continuous economic
growth through technological
innovation for IT, BT, and
materials and energy Ts.
Creating new industries and
jobs and
Giving us global
competitiveness of products
 It is also the key technology for
sustainable growth.
Reduction of energy and
material usage
Cleaner environment
 Improved health care
Extend life-span, its quality,
physical capabilities

4. “A time when no one lacks for any need,
and everyone is enabled to reach
their full potential.”
WARNING!
Technology can be misused
Advanced technology = Advanced dangers
The Promise of Modern Technology

5. In late march 2006, six people
went to hospital with serious
respiratory problems after using
a new German bathroom
cleaning product called Magic
Nano. The product was removed
from sale after just three days.
Some manufacturerers are using
high strength materials for tennis
rackets and golf clubs and stain
resistant fabrics. These products
contain nanoparticles of zinc
oxide. But they all have one thing
in common-their Nano
components have not gone
through safety tests.

6. The benefits in this product is supported by the
nanotechnology so it helps the skin and gives vitamin D
The Bottom Line
Ms. McCann tried this,
and found the skin
around her eyes felt soft
and looked shiny at first
but no lasting effects.
She did not find it
comfortable.

7. What are nanotechnology socks
Nanotechnology socks
contain nanoparticles
of silver. These
particles help kill the
bacteria that makes our
feet smell. Many people
with smelly feet will
benefit from this
technology.

8. Nanotechnology offers ... possibilities for health,
wealth, and capabilities beyond most past
imaginings.
K. Eric Drexler

9. Improving the Economy:
Refrigerants Automobiles
…working with U.S. Industry
Electric Power
Information & Semiconductor
Technology Cell Phones
Improving the Quality of Life:
Medical Tests
Mammography
Cancer Treatment
Smoke Detectors
Body Armor
Dentistry
ADVANTAGES : NANOTECHNOLOGY

11. Macro, micro, nano
10 centimètres
1X
1 centimètre
10X100X
1 millimètre100 microns
1000X
10 microns
10,000X
1 micron
100,000X1,000,000X
100 nanomètres
10,000,000X
10 nanomètres
100,000,000X
1 nanomètre

12. The “Dark Side” of Nanotechnology?
• There has not been enough research done to know
what the biological implications of Nano Industry will
be.
• There is evidence to suggest possible problems.
• As a scientific community, we should be pro-active
in addressing the possible risks.

13. Nanotoxicology:
• An Emerging Discipline Evolving from
Studies of Ultra fine Particles.

14. Groups opposing the installation of nanotechnology
laboratories in Grenoble, France, have spray painted
their opposition on a former fortress above the city

15. Nanotechnology.
Risks of nanotechnology

Can cause serious damage.

3 reasons:

More reactive

Can accumulate

Lack of knowledge

Company policy.

Lack of leadership and organisation.

16. What are environmental groups and
NGO’s saying about nanotechnology?
 The ETC group, an NGO, recently
sponsored a contest calling for individuals
to design a warning label for
nanotechnology.
 “Nano Risk Framework Draft” DuPont and
the Environmental Defense Fund.
February 26, 2007.

20. PM10 (10,000 nm) air pollution isPM10 (10,000 nm) air pollution is
linked to increased lung cancer,linked to increased lung cancer,
heart, and lung disease and deathheart, and lung disease and death
Donaldson K, Tran L, Jimenez L, Duffin R, Newby DE, Mills N,Donaldson K, Tran L, Jimenez L, Duffin R, Newby DE, Mills N, et alet al.:.:
Combustion-derived nanoparticles: A review of their toxicology followingCombustion-derived nanoparticles: A review of their toxicology following
inhalation exposure 1.inhalation exposure 1. Part Fibre ToxicolPart Fibre Toxicol 2005, 2:102005, 2:10

21. Nanomaterials may cause oxidativeNanomaterials may cause oxidative
stress, inflammation, and cancerstress, inflammation, and cancer
Xia et al, Nano Lett. 2006 Aug;6(8):1794-Xia et al, Nano Lett. 2006 Aug;6(8):1794-
807. Reviewed in Stone and Donaldson,807. Reviewed in Stone and Donaldson,
Nature Nanotechnology 1, (2006)Nature Nanotechnology 1, (2006)
Air pollution such as diesel soot, and nanoparticles such asAir pollution such as diesel soot, and nanoparticles such as
carbon black and carbon buckyballs can generate reactivecarbon black and carbon buckyballs can generate reactive
oxygen species and induce oxidative stressoxygen species and induce oxidative stress
Since there is a clear link between oxidative stress and diseasesSince there is a clear link between oxidative stress and diseases
including cancer, asthma and cardiovascular disease, scientistsincluding cancer, asthma and cardiovascular disease, scientists
have suggested that by characterizing the oxidative stresshave suggested that by characterizing the oxidative stress
profile of nanomaterials, we may be able to predict the toxicityprofile of nanomaterials, we may be able to predict the toxicity

22. Basic elements of a precautionaryBasic elements of a precautionary
policy for nanomaterials:policy for nanomaterials:
1.1. Prohibit the untested or unsafe use of nanomaterialsProhibit the untested or unsafe use of nanomaterials
2.2. Conduct full life-cycle EHS impact assessments as aConduct full life-cycle EHS impact assessments as a
prerequisite to commercialization; assessprerequisite to commercialization; assess
nanomaterials as new substances, since uniquenanomaterials as new substances, since unique
physical properties impart unique hazard profilesphysical properties impart unique hazard profiles
3.3. Facilitate full and meaningful participation by publicFacilitate full and meaningful participation by public
and workers in nanotechnologies development andand workers in nanotechnologies development and
control; assess the social and ethical impacts ofcontrol; assess the social and ethical impacts of
nanotechnologiesnanotechnologies
4.4. Act on early warnings to protect communities andAct on early warnings to protect communities and
workers.workers.

23. Problem: no regulatory oversightProblem: no regulatory oversight
Must trigger a mass/vol threshold to triggerMust trigger a mass/vol threshold to trigger
regulation .regulation .
Burden on govt to prove harm; No dataBurden on govt to prove harm; No data
means no risk.means no risk.
Reg’s target chemical, not final use/productReg’s target chemical, not final use/product
No detection equipment means noNo detection equipment means no
enforcement abilityenforcement ability

24. Why worry?
Inhaled nanomaterials have the potential to
pass directly to the brain, and from the lungs
into the blood stream.
Ingested nano
materials
pass from the
gut into the
blood stream.
Nemmar et al, 2001, 2002. (Reviewed in Borm PJ, Kreyling W: J
Nanosci Nanotechnol 2004, 4:521-531)

25. 25
I.I. Develop TechnologyDevelop Technology
I.I. Understand ImplicationsUnderstand Implications
I.I. Prepare SolutionsPrepare Solutions
I.I. Implement GloballyImplement Globally
Challenges of Nanotech
Satisfactory
outcome requires
all four
to be effectively
addressed.
Satisfactory
outcome requires
all four
to be effectively
addressed.

26. 26
Potential Risks of Nanotechnology
• Health issues
– Nanoparticles could be inhaled, swallowed, absorbed
through skin, or deliberately injected
– Could they trigger inflammation and weaken the
immune system? Could they interfere with regulatory
mechanisms of enzymes and proteins?
• Environmental issues
– Nanoparticles could accumulate in soil, water, plants;
traditional filters are too big to catch them
• New risk assessment methods are needed
– National and international agencies are beginning to
study the risk; results will lead to new regulations

27. Science and Engineering approaches are
needed that offer new capabilities to prevent or
treat highly toxic or persistent pollutants, and
that result in the more effective monitoring of
pollutants or their impact in ways not currently
possible.
Conclusions
Nanoscience, engineering, and technology
holds great potential for the continued
improvement of technologies for environmental
protection. The recent breakthroughs in creating
nanocircuitry, give further evidence and support
the predictions that nanoscale science and
engineering “will most likely produce the
breakthroughs of tomorrow.”
PARADIGM SHIFT
(nano in the environment) ( nano for the environment )

28. 28
Thank you!
ajal4u@facebook.com

29. BACK UP SLIDES

30. Transmission Electron
Microscope (TEM)
 Uses high-energy electron
beam to probe material
with thickness < 100 nm.
 Some electrons are
absorbed or bounced off
object; some pass through
the object and make
magnified images
 Digital camera records
images.

31. Atomic Force Microscope
(AFM)
 Use small silicon tip as
probe to make images of
sample material
 Probe moves along
surface
 Electrons of atoms in
sample repel those in
probe
 Creates 3-D images

32. Scanning Tunneling
Microscope (STM)
 Uses nanosized probe to
scan objects and
materials
 Uses tunneling to detect
surface and creates a
map of surface
 Rate of electrons that
tunnel from probe to
surface related to distance
between probe and
surface