Health and Environmental Safety of Nanomaterials addresses concerns about the impact of nanomaterials on the environment and human health, and examines the safety of specific nanomaterials. Understanding the unique chemical and physical properties of nanostructures has led to many developments in the applications of nanocomposite materials. While these materials have applications in a huge range of areas, their potential for toxicity must be thoroughly understood. Part one introduces the properties of nanomaterials, nanofillers, and nanocomposites, and questions whether they are more toxic than their bulk counterparts. Part two looks at the release and exposure of nanomaterials. The text covers sampling techniques and data analysis methods used to assess nanoparticle exposure, as well as protocols for testing the safety of polymer nanocomposites. It explains characterization techniques of airborne nanoparticles and life cycle assessment of engineered nanomaterials. Part three focuses on the safety of certain nanomaterials, including nanolayered silicates, carbon nanotubes, and metal oxides. In particular, it explores the potential ecotoxicological hazards associated with the different structures of carbon nanotubes and the safe recycling of inorganic and carbon nanoparticles. The final two chapters address the risks of nanomaterials in fire conditions: their thermal degradation, flammability, and toxicity in different fire scenarios. This is a scientific guide with technical background for professionals using nanomaterials in industry, scientists, academicians, research scholars, and polymer engineers. It also offers a deep understanding of the subject for undergraduate and postgraduate students. - Introduces the properties of nanomaterials, nanofillers, and nanocomposites, and questions whether they are more toxic than their bulk counterparts - Covers sampling techniques and data analysis methods used to assess nanoparticle exposure, as well as protocols for testing the safety of polymer nanocomposites - Explores the potential ecotoxicological hazards associated with the different structures of carbon nanotubes and the safe recycling of inorganic and carbon nanoparticles

This monograph summarizes the current knowledge on potential health hazards induced by nanomaterials from different sources and sort such as food, drugs and silver nanoparticles. Methods to assess toxicity as well as known effects on the genome, neuronal and respiratory system are discussed. Besides the impact on human and animal life the books also addresses aquatic toxicity.

Nanotechnology is a new and emerging discipline that is multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary. The usage of nanosystems, nanomaterials, nano-devices, etc. permeates all aspects of society. Cancer targeting and curing nanosystems are being introduced into the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries; so are lightweight energy absorbing or blast-proof nanohybrid material in the aerospace, automotive and marine industries and high-efficiency energy harvesting nanomaterials, etc. Society has a vested interest in knowing how these new materials, devices and systems are changing the economy and similar landscapes. The book outlines the regulatory and environmental issues related to nanotechnology per industry, offers guidelines in assessing the risks and discusses the legal and socioeconomical issues involved. Case studies will be utilized to provide examples of the positive and negative impacts of nanotechnology. - Provides an overview and the basis for understanding the critical importance of the reactivity and efficacy of nanomaterials and the emerging role of nanotechnology in society - Explains the fundamentals, ethics, regulatory and environmental issues of nanosafety and how they shape the emerging nanotechnology industry and markets and includes extensive lists of glossary terms, terminologies and concepts needed for Material Data Safety Sheets - Discusses the relevance and specificity of nanosafety issues per industry and includes discussions on the "Homeland Security and Infrastructure Industries" of interest to society in general - Includes nanotechnology risk assessment and delineates and quantifies the risk assessment process for nanotechnology safety of paramount importance to most industries and systems - Outlines the legal and intellectual property ramifications of nanotechnology and its impact on productivity and society

The nanotechnology sector, which generated about $225 billion in product sales in 2009, is predicted to expand rapidly over the next decade with the development of new technologies that have new capabilities. The increasing production and use of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) may lead to greater exposures of workers, consumers, and the environment, and the unique scale-specific and novel properties of the materials raise questions about their potential effects on human health and the environment. Over the last decade, government agencies, academic institutions, industry, and others have conducted many assessments of the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) aspects of nanotechnology. The results of those efforts have helped to direct research on the EHS aspects of ENMs. However, despite the progress in assessing research needs and despite the research that has been funded and conducted, developers, regulators, and consumers of nanotechnology-enabled products remain uncertain about the types and quantities of nanomaterials in commerce or in development, their possible applications, and their associated risks. A Research Strategy for Environmental, Health, and Safety Aspects of Engineered Nanomaterials presents a strategic approach for developing the science and research infrastructure needed to address uncertainties regarding the potential EHS risks of ENMs. The report summarizes the current state of the science and high-priority data gaps on the potential EHS risks posed by ENMs and describes the fundamental tools and approaches needed to pursue an EHS risk research strategy. The report also presents a proposed research agenda, short-term and long-term research priorities, and estimates of needed resources and concludes by focusing on implementation of the research strategy and evaluation of its progress, elements that the committee considered integral to its charge.

Nanotechnology for Food Packaging: Materials, Processing Technologies, and Safety Issues showcases the latest research in the use of nanotechnology in food packaging, providing an in-depth and interdisciplinary overview of the field. Nanoscale advances in materials science, processing technology and analytical techniques have led to the introduction of new, cheaper and safer packaging techniques. Simultaneously, the increasing use of renewable nanomaterials has made food packaging more sustainable. Chapters provide a comprehensive review on materials used, their structure–function relationship, and new processing technologies for the application and production of nanotechnology-based packaging materials. In addition, the book discusses the use of functional materials for the development of active, smart and intelligent packaging, possible migration and toxicity of nanomaterials for foods and regulatory aspects, and commercial applications. - Provides detailed information on the use of nanomaterials and methodologies in food packaging, possible applications and regulatory barriers to commercialization - Presents an interdisciplinary approach that brings together materials science, bioscience, and the industrial and regulatory aspects of the creation and uses of food packaging - Helps those undertaking research and development in food packaging gain a cogent understanding on how nanotechnology is leading to the emergence of new packaging technologies

With contributions from leading researchers and government experts involved with the safety assessment of nanomaterials, this book gives an up-to-date review on the safety of engineered nanomaterials and their impact on health and the environment. It covers the whole nanomaterial life cycle-from production, transport, and distribution in the enviro

The first edition of Health and Environmental Safety of Nanomaterials: Polymer Nanocomposites and Other Materials Containing Nanoparticles was published in 2014, but since that time, new developments in the field of nanomaterials safety have emerged, both at release and exposure, along with the expanding applications of the nanomaterials side. Numerous studies have been dedicated to the issue of biophysical interactions of nanoparticles with the human body at the organ, cellular, and molecular levels. In this second edition, all the chapters have been brought fully up to date. There are also four brand new chapters on the biophysical interaction of nanoparticles with the human body; advanced modeling approaches to help elucidate the nanorisks; safety measures at work with nanoparticles; and the health and environmental risks of graphene. It provides key knowledge and information needs for all those who are working in the research and development sector and need to learn more about the safety of nanomaterials. - Focuses on the health and safety of polymer nanocomposites and other materials containing nanoparticles, as well as their medical and environmental implications - Discusses the fundamental nature of various biophysical interactions of nanoparticles with the human body - Looks at the physico-chemistry of nanoparticles and their uptake, translocation, transformation, transport, and biodistribution in mammalian and plant systems - Presents the structure–activity relationships and modeling of the interactions of nanoparticles with biological molecules, biochemical pathways, analysis of biomolecular signatures, and the development of biomarkers

The incorporation of nanomaterials into products can improve performance, efficiency, and durability in various fields ranging from construction, energy management, catalysis, microelectronics, plastics, coatings, and paints to consumer articles such as foods and cosmetics. But innovation never comes at zero risk. The potential hazards resulting from human exposure during production, use, or disposal has raised concerns and targeted research early on. Safety of Nanomaterials along Their Lifecycle: Release, Exposure, and Human Hazards presents the state of the art in nanosafety research from a lifecycle perspective. Although major knowledge gaps still exist, solid data are now available to identify scenarios of critical risk as well as those of safe nanomaterial use for our benefit. The book is divided into four parts: characterization, hazard, release and exposure, and real-life case studies. To improve coherence throughout the book, various chapters review the same suite of well-characterized, judiciously chosen, and identical industrial nanomaterials. The book is a helpful resource to professionals in product development, industrial design, regulatory agencies, and materials scientists and engineers involved in the safety of nanomaterials.

The environment is prone to suffer pollution and toxic insult from generations of nanomaterials as well from accidental releases during production, transportation, and disposal operations. The NMs could interact with and cause adverse biological effects at cellular, subcellular, and molecular levels. Assessing potential environmental/ecological risks requires quality information on transport and fate of nanoparticles in the environment, exposures and vulnerabilities of organisms to the nanomaterials and standard methods for assessing toxicity for aquatic or terrestrial organisms and human health. The systematic risk characterization and evaluation of the safety of nanomaterials require a multidisciplinary approach and convergence of knowledge and efforts from researchers and experts from toxicology, biotechnology, materials science, chemistry, physics, engineering, and other branches of life sciences. Although studies are beginning to appear in the literature addressing the toxicity of various nanomaterials and their potential for exposure, at this stage definitive statements regarding the impacts of nanomaterials on human health and the environment remain sketchy requiring an increased level of precautions with regard to nanomaterials, as has happened with other emerging contaminants and technologies (e.g., biotechnology). The need for an increased level of understanding the perception of risk and of benefits will vary and is likely to influence public, regulatory, and non-governmental activities regarding risk and benefit evaluations. Systematic identification and assessment of the risks posed by any new technology are essential. A prudent, integrated, and holistic approach is required to develop best practices based on the scientific understanding about what we know and what we don’t know but need to know. Nanomaterials addresses key issues of ecotoxicological actions and effects of nanomaterials on life and environment, their threats, vulnerability, risks, and public perception. The readers learn to read bad news objectively and think about and search for ecological ‘green’ solutions to current environmental and ecological problems with blue, grey, brown, and red shades for building a sustainable ecosystem. It shows how this molecular terrain is a common ground for interdisciplinary research and education that will be an essential component of science, engineering and technology in the future. The book is divided into three sections. Section I includes general topics related to ecotoxicity of nanomaterials to microbes, plants, human and environment. Section 2 incorporates risks generated by the use of nanomaterials. Section 3 discusss safety issues and the public.

Protecting occupational health is one of the most important aspects of achieving the responsible development of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), especially because workers are often among the first to be potentially exposed to these novel materials. Paul Schulte and colleagues in 2014 were the first to provide specific criteria that organizations may use to help guide responsible nanotechnology development. With these criteria in mind, we evaluate how one research institute has responded to the challenge of handling ENMs in a responsible manner. This effort demonstrates the transition from theory to practice in a workplace setting. Using Schulte et al.’s criteria as a basis, we demonstrate the practical underpinnings of managing ENMs in a workplace setting including the ability to (1) anticipate, identify, and track ENMs in the workplace; (2) assess and communicate hazards and risks to workers; (3) manage occupational health risks; and (4) foster the safe development of nanotechnology and the realization of societal and commercial benefits. In addition, we note remaining challenges pertaining to handling of ENMs and identify four critical research needs to close these information gaps design.