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Nanotechnology for the Environment
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.
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Nanotechnology for the Environment
- 1. Soil, Air andWater 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 expectedthrough 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 whenno 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 march2006, 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 inthis 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 nanotechnologysocks 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: RefrigerantsAutomobiles …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 10centimètres 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 EmergingDiscipline Evolving from Studies of Ultra fine Particles.
- 14. Groups opposing theinstallation of nanotechnology laboratories in Grenoble, France, have spray painted their opposition on a former fortress above the city
- 15. Nanotechnology. Risks of nanotechnology Cancause serious damage. 3 reasons: More reactive Can accumulate Lack of knowledge Company policy. Lack of leadership and organisation.
- 16. What are environmentalgroups 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 causeoxidativeNanomaterials 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 ofa 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 regulatoryoversightProblem: 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 nanomaterialshave 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 TechnologyDevelopTechnology 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 ofNanotechnology • 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 Engineeringapproaches 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 )
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- 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
Editor's Notes
- #16 The main problem with nanotechnology is that there are no firm rules for how it can be safely used. Although we breathe 10million nanoparticles everyday, from which not much are really harmfull, there&apos;re still some that can cause serious problems. One reason for this is that the most reactive part of a material is the surface. With a nanoparticle this is 50% of the particle. Another reason is that nanoparticles are so small that they can evade some of the body&apos;s natural defense and can accumulate in the brain, cells, blood and nerves. Because of the lack of knowledge about nanoparticles ever new particle needs to be treated as a new substance. Which means that it needs to be extensively tested for it&apos;s proporties and especially it&apos;s toxicity. But the lack of research and the variation of results means there are no rules yet on when a particle is save. Therefor companies can themselves determine what the safety policies are on nanotechnology. Because their aims are gaining profits, they&apos;re more inclinned to fund research for applications than for safety. Although &quot;more research is needed&quot; is the main cry of scientists, there are still other problems like the lack of leadership and organisation and most will agre that this is what nanotechnology needs in order to have a promising future.
- #31 The transmission electron microscope is one that utilizes a high-energy electron beam that probes sample materials with a thickness less than 100 nanometers (nm). While some electrons are either absorbed or bounced of the material, others pass through it creating a magnified image as the one shown in the example. Current TEMs use digital cameras placed behind the material to capture and record images, magnifying images up to 30 million times. The TEM is the most popular microscope used the make images published in scientific journals on nanocrystals found in semiconductors.
- #32 The atomic force microscope (AFM) uses a small silicon tip as a probe to make images of sample material. While the probe move along the surface of the sample, the electrons of the atoms in the material begin to repel the electrons of the probe. The AFM then adjusts the height of the probe to keep the force of the sample constant. A mechanism records the movement of the probe and sends this information to a computer that will generate a three-dimensional image as shown in the slide. The image will show the exact topography of the surface.
- #33 A scanning tunneling microscope (STM) uses a wavelike property of electrons known as tunneling, which allows electrons emitted from a probe to penetrate, or tunnel into, the surface of the examined object. The electrons generate a tiny electric current that the STM measures. Similar to the atomic force microscope, the height of the probe in the STM is adjusted constantly to keep the current constant. In doing, so a detailed map of the material’ surface is produced as the example in this slide shows.