Nanotoxicology
Nanotechnology is defined as “the manipulation or rearrangement of matter in dimensions 1 to 100nm also known as nanoparticles” (What Is Nanotoxicology?, 2013). The rapid development of nanotechnology is believed to have significant benefits on mankind. However, as with possibly all developing technologies, there are bounds to be risks associated with these benefits. To assess these risks, a new discipline known as nanotoxicology has emerged and is corresponding with nanotechnology. Nanotoxicology is defined as “a subfield of toxicology that is concerned with evaluating the potentially toxic effects associated with nanoparticles, and is concerned with devising ways to prevent and treat them once the harmful effects are identified” (What Is Nanotoxicology?, 2013).
Nanotechnology has become an increasingly active area of research and is regarded as the first important advance in technology of this millennium. The uses of nanotechnology can be found in science, medicine, military technology, and the commercial sector. There is hardly a field of human endeavor in which nanotechnology has not been said to be likely to play an important role. Exposure to nanoparticles to workers, consumers, and the environment seems inevitable with the increasing production volumes and the increasing number of these commercially available products containing nanoparticles.
Studies conducted within the past number of years have indicated that exposure to specific nanopoarticles have increased concerns regarding their possible harmful effects (Maynard, 2012). Some types of nanoparticles are expected to be benevolent, are FDA approved, and are used for making paints, and sunscreen lotion etc. However, there are dangerous nanoparticles and chemicals that have been known for many years. These include: Asbestos, diesel particulate matter, ultra fine particles, DDT, and lead (What Is Nanotoxicology?, 2013). The purpose of this paper is to discuss the health and environmental
Nanotechnology has become an increasingly active area of research and is regarded as the first important advance in technology of this millennium. The uses of nanotechnology can be found in science, medicine, military technology, and the commercial sector. There is hardly a field of human endeavor in which nanotechnology has not been said to be likely to play an important role. Exposure to nanoparticles to workers, consumers, and the environment seems inevitable with the increasing production volumes and the increasing number of these commercially available products containing nanoparticles.
Studies conducted within the past number of years have indicated that exposure to specific nanopoarticles have increased concerns regarding their possible harmful effects (Maynard, 2012). Some types of nanoparticles are expected to be benevolent, are FDA approved, and are used for making paints, and sunscreen lotion etc. However, there are dangerous nanoparticles and chemicals that have been known for many years. These include: Asbestos, diesel particulate matter, ultra fine particles, DDT, and lead (What Is Nanotoxicology?, 2013). The purpose of this paper is to discuss the health and environmental