Continued Efforts on Nanomaterial‐Environmental Health and Safety Is Critical to Maintain Sustainable Growth of Nanoindustry

Abstract

Nanotechnology is enjoying an impressive growth and the global nanotechnology industry is expected to exceed US$ 125 billion by 2024. Based on these successes, there are notions that enough is known and efforts on engineered nanomaterial environmental health and safety (nano‐EHS) research should be put on the back burner. However, there are recent events showing that it is not the case. The US Food and Drug Administration found ferumoxytol (carbohydrate‐coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle) for anemia treatment could induce lethal anaphylactic reactions. The European Union will categorize TiO2 as a category 2 carcinogen due to its inhalation hazard and France banned use of TiO2 (E171) in food from January 1, 2020 because of its carcinogenic potential. Although nanoindustry is seemingly in a healthy state, growth could be hindered for the lack of certainty and more nano‐EHS research is needed for the sustainable growth of nanoindustry. Herein, the current knowledge gaps and the way forward are elaborated.

Green Nanofabrication Opportunities in the Semiconductor Industry: A Life Cycle Perspective

“…The nanotechnology industry is expected to exceed USD 125 billion by 2024 [ 194 ]. The environmental, safety, health and sustainability (ESH/S) impacts of emerging materials such as engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) need to be assessed [ 195 ].…”

“…The environmental impact of ENM depends on how the ENMs are processed from raw materials, how they are incorporated into a final nanoproduct, in which surroundings this final product functions, and how it is eventually disposed of [ 197 ]. The rapid development of nanoparticles (NPs) has led to an augmented complexity and diversity of materials, and regulation and predictions of environmental impacts have not been able to keep up [ 194 ]. The use of semiconductor nanomaterials (NMs) has increased the processing power of mobile devices.…”

“…Materials used should have a quantified risk, and the molecular mechanisms by which molecules interact with their environment and living organism once released should be understood [ 26 , 194 ]. Models should be developed to quantify possible environmental toxicity and minimise them [ 191 ].…”

Applications of layered materials in electrochemistry and biomedicine

“…Therefore, it is of great importance to characteristically, meticulously and accurately study and understand the risks of novel materials to humans and the environment prior to any large scale utilisation. 93 Nanomaterials are materials with two or three of its dimensions with lengths ranging from 1 to 100 nanometres. There is a potential for nanomaterials exposure throughout the product chain, specifically during manufacture, application and waste management.…”

“…With more thorough assessments addressing the risks and safety of nanomaterials, the possible dangers and threats which nanomaterial may pose can be well comprehended, and proper regulations can be set to protect humans and the environment. 93 Generally, particles are harmful as a consequence of two factors that act together; large surface area and intrinsic toxicity of the surface. Hence, nanomaterials are highly harmful due to their nano-size nature as smaller particles have more surface area per unit mass.The toxicity of nanomaterials is highly influenced by their interactions with biological systems, which can in turn be affected by the physicochemical properties, such as shape, size, chemical composition, surface coating and charge as well as agglomeration or aggregation tendency.…”