SaferNano, Design & Law 2018

Addition of titanium dioxide (TiO2) (nano)particles into photocatalytic paints represents a promising alternative aiming to mineralize gaseous pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into innocuous species (H2O and CO2). Despite important industrial and economic benefits, some concerns were raised regarding the risks associated with nano-objects and their human and environmental impacts.

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) are widely used as biocides, leading to contamination of the environment and possible adverse effects on humans. Recent studies revealed that the cellular response to acute exposure to Ag-NPs differs from the response to chronic exposure, although we currently lack systematic studies comparing responses to different dosing regimens.

Indoor aquatic mesocosms are increasingly used in nanosafety to assess the behavior, fate, and impacts of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in aquatic environments using relevant exposure scenarios.

In recent years, nanotechnologies have led to undeniable progress in any domains, such as electronics, materials and medicine. Despite the benefits of such a technology, a careful assessment of the potential risks for Human and Environmental health have to be studied. Assessing exposure and hazard to nanomaterials is a major challenge in the field of environmental sciences.