Nanotechnology in agriculture: Next steps for understanding engineered nanoparticle exposure and risk

Abstract

The potential uses and benefits of nanotechnology in agriculture are significant, including producing greater quantities of food with lower cost, energy, and waste. However, many questions regarding the risk of these approaches in food production remain unanswered. A robust literature assessing the toxicity of engineered nanomaterials to terrestrial\\agricultural plant species has begun to develop. However, much of this literature has focused on short term, high dose exposure scenarios often conducted in model media. Although important to determining inherent nanomaterial hazard, these studies are inadequate for assessing the actual risk posed to agricultural systems, including for sensitive receptors such as humans. Although the existing literature is somewhat contradictory, it is notable that the overall findings seem to suggest low to moderate toxicity to terrestrial plant species. However, what is now needed is a systems-level approach investigating more subtle yet potentially more significant impacts of nanomaterial exposure in agricultural systems, including the use of a range of more sensitive endpoints that can mechanistically characterize toxicity. This article will identify these and other key knowledge gaps and also highlight critical next steps for understanding the balance between nanotechnology applications and implications in agriculture and food production.