Decreasing uncertainties in assessing environmental exposure, risk, and ecological implications of nanomaterials.
Determining the fate and interactions of nanomaterials in complex environmental contexts is required to assess exposure and possible harm as well as to inform regulation. As the nanotechnology industry moves up into the rarified air of trillion dollar economics over the next several years (1), the number of simple and complex manufactured nanomaterials (NMs), and their uses, will grow tremendously. Large-scale production of engineered NMs presents the possibility that organisms and ecosystems may be exposed to new levels and qualities of substances with unknown consequences. Naturally occurring nanoscale materials are also ubiquitous in the biosphere, comprising the very building blocks of life and likely playing an important role in ecosystem
Wiesner
Mark R
MR
Center for the Environmental Implications of Nano Technology, Duke University Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Lowry
Gregory V
GV
Jones
Kimberly L
KL
Hochella
Michael F
MF
Di Giulio
Richard T
RT
Casman
Elizabeth
E
Bernhardt
Emily S
ES
D001499:Bayes Theorem; D017753:Ecosystem; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004782:Environmental Health; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000633:toxicity*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000592:standards; D018570:Risk Assessment
D004785:Environmental Pollutants