Nanotechnology and the Environment - ACS Publications - American

Downloaded by 80.82.77.83 on January 22, 2018 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: December 14, 2004 | doi: 10.1021/bk-2005-0890.pr001

Preface When wefirstenvisioned an ACS symposium on nanotechnology and the environment, we realized that there was very little precedent for examining the relationship of this new technology and its impacts, either useful or harmful, on the environment. The National Nanotechnology Initiative had addressed environment as part of Societal Impacts, but the majority of work that could be described as environmental nanotechnology was directed toward natural nanoparticles in the environment—nanogeochemistry and atmospheric aerosols. Our thrust was to bring together nanotechnology research that contributed to enhanced environmental protection directed toward human activities, in addition to helping define the problems and processes that might occur in the natural environment. With the human aspects of new technologies in mind, we organized the symposium around two broad themes: the applications of nanotechnology to the environment and implications of nanotechnology on the environment. The applications were those aspects of nanotechnology that could be useful in dealing with current environmental problems and preventing future problem. They included treatment and remediation of existing pollutants, nanocatalysts for more selective and efficient reactions, nanotechnology-enabled green energy, metrology to measure these small materials, nanotechnology-enabled sensors for substances of environmental interest, and environmentally benign manufacturing

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Karn et al.; Nanotechnology and the Environment ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 2004.


of nanomaterials. Implications included toxicology and biointeractions of nanomaterials and nanoparticle geochemistry in water and air. Although the symposium was organized as part of the American Chemical Society (ACS) meeting, our presenters came from a wide spectrum of disciplines representative of the interdisciplinary nature of nanotechnology. Materials engineering, chemistry, physics, journalism, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, toxicology, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, as well as civil and environmental engineering were represented. Rather than sessions directed toward a subset of one discipline, our sessions were organized around the potential products of research or the problems that might arise because of the size scale and technology. In addition to diverse backgrounds, speakers came from diverse geographical areas and institutions. All presenters came from U.S. institutions, with Pennsylvania, California, Washington, Texas, and New York having the most representation. About onequarter of the speakers were women. Participants in the symposium were charged to think about three questions as they listened to the talks: What is the potential of this work to address environmental issues? How can the potential technology prevent environmental problems? Will the application have unintentional environmental implications? With these questions and the research presented, we hoped to build a community of researchers who are both environmentally conscious and to gain an environmental conscience so they can think of both the applications and implications of their own work to the environment. We hope this book will provide aframeworkand useful information for addressing nanotechnology and the environment. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the ACS Division of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Inc. In

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addition we thank our fellow editors, the many authors, and the reviewers who contributed to this publication.

Barbara Karn


U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, 8722F Washington, D C 20460 [email protected]

Tina Masciangioli National Academy of Science 500 Fifth Street, N W , W629 Washington, D C 20001 [email protected]

Vicki Colvin Department of Chemistry, M S 60 Rice University Houston, TX 77005 [email protected]

Wei-xian Zhang Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Lehigh University 13 East Packer Avenue Bethlehem, P A 18015-3045 [email protected]

Paul Alivisatos Department of Chemistry University of California at Berkeley Berkeley, C A 94720-1460 [email protected]

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Pertinent Reports and Websites Royal Society Report ("Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: oppor tunities and uncertainties"), July 2004 (http://www.nanotec.org.uk/finalReport.htm) Report was published by the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering after being commissioned by the Government in 2003. The report recognizes the many current and potential benefits of nanotechnology while indicating the need for public debate about their de velopment. It also addresses research and regulation as they pertain to

immediate safety with regard to health and the environment. Societal Implications of Nanotechnology, publications from 1999-2004 (http://nano.gov/html/res/home_res.html) National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) website includes reports on nanotechnology research and the possible implications for society. Sources of the reports listed include the National Research Council, the National Science Foundation, and the Νanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology Subcommittee (NSET) of the NNI. E P A Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Research http://www.epa.gov/ncer Nanotechnology and the environment grants (44) are listed on this web page. In addition, reports of Grantees' meetings on nanotechnology research, the Grand Challenge Research planning for nanotechnology and the environment report, papers and presentations from the Interagency meeting on nanotechnology and the environment are posted. Swiss Re: Nanotechnology Small Matter, Many Unknowns, 2004 (http://www.swissre.com/INTERNET/pwswpspr.nsf/vwRobotCrawlLU/ LCLN-5Z5LUK?OpenDocument&RobotCrawl=1) or http://www.swissre.com

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The Swiss Reinsurance Company compiled this report assessing the potential implications of nanotechnology with the input of their risk officers. The report focuses on human exposure routes and occupational hazards, threats to health and the environment, and regulation. Swiss Re goes on to analyze these implications in the context of the insurance industry.

International Dialogue on Responsible Nanotechnology, June, 2004 (http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm/nano/dialog.htm) A meeting of government representatives from 26 countries on the societal implications of nanotechnology held in Alexandria, Virginia. Issues addressed included current and potential regulation from each nation, research and development investment, environmental protection, and public knowledge and perception of nanotechnology.

Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~cben/index.shtml This NSF-sponsored research center at Rice University is dedicated to addressing the scientific, technological, environmental, human resource, commercialization, and societal barriers that hinder the transition from nanoscience to nanotechnology. Chemical Industry R & D Roadmap for Nanomaterials by Design: From Fundamentals to Function, December, 2003 (www.chemicalvision2020.org/pdfs/nano_roadmap.pdf) Prepared by Chemical Industry Vision2020 Technology Partnership and Energetics, Inc., and sponsored by the Department of Energy and NSET, this report emphasizes a solution-oriented approach to materials development, termed "Nanomaterials B y Design." The report asserts that such an approach would allow material producers to focus on the requirements for specific applications as the primary drivers of the design process, accelerating development.

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Nanotechnology and the Environment


Nanotechnology and the Environment - ACS Publications - American

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