Impact of Nanomaterials on Health and Environment

Humans have been exposed to airborne nanosized materials (< 100 nm) throughout the millennia, but the extent of exposure has increased significantly since the industrial revolution with special reference to the combustion processes. The advent of nanotechnology in the last 2 decades has further increased the risk of exposure of nanomaterials through one of the following routes; inhalation, ingestion, dermal and drug delivery using engineered nanomaterials. Conversion from bulk state to nanosize imparts new properties to the nanomaterials in regard to mechanical, electrical, optical, catalytic activity, and lastly, but not the least, the biological activity. Toxicological effects of nanomaterials need to be examined during a product's lifecycle including manufacture, use and disposal. The health hazards and safety considerations of nanomaterials need further attention and basic interdisciplinary research work is called for involving materials scientists, toxicologists, medical practitioners and environmental engineers.