DNanotechnology has developed tremendously in the
past decade and was able to create many new
materials with a vast range of potential
applications. Some of those innovative materials are
promising to reduce environmental pollution. For
instance, carbon nanotubes and metal nano-particles
are great candidate materials for cleaning polluted
water and soils.
However, the risk that
nano-particles may pose to human and environment
health is not yet fully understood. The
precautionary principle therefore suggests keeping
environmental release of nano-particles minimal
until their fate and toxicity is better understood.
"A good understanding of nano-materials is essential
to evaluate whether the benefits overcome potential
new risks", explains Thilo Hofmann, dean elected at
the Faculty of Geosciences, Geography and Astronomy
of the University of Vienna.
Among numerous proposed
applications, nanotechnology has the potential to
revolutionize agricultural practices and food
systems. Research has been extremely active over the
past few years to develop new pesticides products
based on nanotechnology. "Nano-pesticide research is
emerging at high speed at the agrochemical labs,
however, this topic has not reached public awareness
or state authorities so far, nor are any products
available at the marked. Since those nano-pesticides
have new or enhanced properties, this will change in
near future and will inevitably result in both new
risks and new benefits to human and environmental
health", states Thilo Hofmann.
Nano-pesticides
encompass a great variety of products, some of which
are already on the market. The application of
nano-pesticides would be the only intentional
diffuse input of large quantities of engineered
nano-particles into the environment. Innovation
always results in both drawbacks and benefits for
human and environmental health. Nano-pesticides may
reduce environmental contamination through the
reduction in pesticide application rates and reduced
losses. However, nano-pesticides may also create new
kinds of contamination of soils and waterways due to
enhanced transport, longer persistence and higher
toxicity.
The current level of
knowledge does not allow a fair assessment of the
advantages and disadvantages that will result from
the use of nano-pesticides. As a prerequisite for
such assessment, a better understanding of the fate
and effect of nano-pesticides after their
application is required. The suitability of current
regulations should also be analyzed so that
refinements can be implemented if needed. Research
on nano-pesticides is therefore a priority for
preserving the quality of both the food chain and
the environment.
For more information
Publication in "Critical Reviews in Environmental
Science and Technology" Nano-pesticides: state of
knowledge, environmental fate and exposure modeling:
Melanie Kah, Sabine Beulke, Karen Tiede and Thilo
Hofmann. Critical Reviews of Environmental Science
and Technology (2012)
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10643389.2012.671750
(MDN)
|