Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
as airborne gaseous contaminants and particulate matter (PM) from car
exhaust, seriously affects the environment and threatens the health of human
populations. Enormous amounts of carbon dioxide (CO
2
) are released daily
into the atmosphere from combustion of fossil fuels and warm it up irre-
versibly. The world's climate system is an integral part of the complex of
life-supporting processes. Climate and weather have always had a powerful
impact on human health and wellbeing.
“In the light of these enormous and complex challenges, it is perhaps ironic
that one prospective solution is diminutive in size but immensely power-
ful in capacity” [1]. Nanotechnology holds promise to provide solutions to
some environmental problems and contribute to environmental sustainabil-
ity. Masciagnoli and Zhang [1] divided the benefits of nanotechnology for
the environment into three categories: sensing and detection (environmen-
tal monitoring), remediation and treatment, and pollution prevention. Some
other important benefits were identified at the European Nanoforum Joint
Workshop in 2007, and they include energy and material conservation [2].
The latter benefits, however, will not be discussed in this chapter since the
conservation of energy and materials do not directly contribute to the pres-
ervation of human health.
7.2 Environmental Pollution, Human
Health, and Nanotechnology
“Pollution” is the introduction of contaminants into the environment, which
causes instability, disorder, harm, or discomfort to ecosystems [3]. Pollution
has many forms, but most often it is expressed as chemical substances, bio-
logical agents, noise, heat, or light. Environmental pollution has always had
negative effects on human health, which can greatly vary in their kind or
magnitude in accordance with the types of pollutants involved and the
extent of the human exposure to them.
Air pollution can cause severe health problems and even death in both
human and animal populations. Ozone, for instance, can result in respira-
tory and cardiovascular diseases, throat inflammation, chest pains, and con-
gestion [4]. PM induces respiratory problems, reduced lung function, chest
pain, and asthmatic responses [5]. Exposure to volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) causes skin irritation and nausea, and increases the risk of cancer [6].
Short-term exposures to high levels of sulfur dioxide (SO
2
) can be life threat-
ening. Long-term exposure to persistent levels of SO
2
can lead to respiratory
problems, such as lung inflammation and asthma hypersensitivity [7].
Many sources of water are now contaminated with heavy metals (e.g.,
mercury, cadmium, arsenic, lead, chromium), persistent organic pollutants
