Chapter 18 - Updates on health and safety aspects of green nanomaterials

Abstract

Nanotechnology is a very vast field that includes a range of technologies at the nanoscale, such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, genomics, neuroscience, robotics, and information technology. Nanotechnology is expressed as the hidden incentive behind the latest business and commercialization. It also provides a pathway for more research and directs the use of green nanomaterials for various applications mainly in the biotechnology, agriculture, and biomedical areas. The production of nanomaterials by green methods aims to produce nanoproducts without using and releasing toxic ingredients and products into the environment. Along with some benefits, challenges may be foreseen during the incorporation and production of nanomaterials by greener technologies. Environmental issues, socio-ethical issues, health and safety risks, issues related to the acceptance of products by consumers, and market demand may prevail during the manufacturing and production of green nanomaterials. The increased productivity of green nanomaterials and their utilization means a dramatic increase in the manpower used in the manufacture of nanomaterials. Nanomaterials being smaller in size may be inhaled or ingested via one or many pathways and can cause serious problems to human health as well as to the environment. As a result of this, the manpower would possibly be exposed to harmful impacts and elevated burden on the environment, caused by the leakage of hazardous components from industries into the environment. This chapter summarizes the environmental, legal, health, and safety issues of green nanomaterials.