Risks of nanos for the environment
The risks of nanos for the environment
In addition to the risks to human health, there is evidence of potential effects of some nanoscale substances on flora and fauna that are of concern.
It is known that nanomaterials or nanomaterial residues can enter and accumulate in different bacterial, plant, animal, terrestrial and/or aquatic species, be transmitted to the next generation, and move up the food chain.
But to what extent and in what form(s)? Many aspects of the fate of nanomaterials are still largely unknown: the persistence, transformation, mobility and accumulation of nanomaterials in the environment are very difficult to understand. These data are still very patchy; despite the development of research on this subject, there are manyuncertainties concerning the risks posed by nanomaterials for the environment.
This dossier explores some of the risks of nanos for the environment and in particular those associated with nanos in water.