A Fundamental Review of the Relationships between Nanotechnology and Lignocellulosic Biomass - The Nanoscience and Technology of Renewable Biomaterials - page 15

1.8 Nanotechnology Health and Safety Issues

Environmental, health, and safety issues related to nanomaterials and nanotechnology
have been under explored but have more recently received much public attention (Davies
2006, Greenwood 2007, National Research Council 2006). Nanomaterials are present in
our daily lives (e.g. dust, smoke, ash, soot, etc.) and human exposure to nanodimen-
sional materials has occurred throughout human history. For example, nanomaterials are
produced by combustion of fuels and even by volcanic eruptions. The concerns for the
environmental, health, and safety aspects of nanotechnology arise from the production of
new engineered nanomaterials with unique properties (Friends of the Earth 2008). The
aim in using engineered nanomaterials to produce products must be to maximize benefits
while guarding against potential harm, based on a realistic assessment of technical facts
in the light of human values. Understanding the health risks and risks to the environment
or ecosystem that may result from exposure to or introduction of engineered nanoscale
materials, nanostructured materials, or nanotechnology-based devices is an extremely
important consideration in moving nanotechnology forward (International Risk Gover-
nance Council 2007, NSET 2008). This is not only true for wood-based nanomaterials
but also for nanomaterials and devices from other industry sectors that are incorporated
into forest products. An array of concerns arise with respect the effects of exposure
of nanomaterials and nanoproducts on human health and the environment. Included in
these concerns are the following items:

• determining the toxicology of nanomaterials and nanoproducts to humans and in the

environment;

• determining the mechanisms for uptake and the biokinetics of nanomaterials in organ-

isms and the human body;

• understanding transport, transformation, and the fate of nanomaterials and nanoprod-

ucts in air, water, and soil to include mechanisms and routes of exposure;

• understanding dose metrics on humans and animals of nanomaterials and nano-

products;

• implementing effective protection and long-term exposure safety measures for workers

handling and working with nanomaterials and nanoproducts;
- understanding the properties of nanomaterials as they relate to the effectiveness of
personal protective equipment;
- developing sensors and monitors to sample the workplace environment to determine
workers exposure to nanomaterials and nanoproducts;
- development of methods to control exposure when working with nanoproducts;

• developing life cycle analyses of nanomaterials and nanoproducts;

• measuring and characterizing nanomaterial key properties such as size, surface area,

bioactivity, etc.;

• developing scientifically sound in vivo and in vitro protocols and models to understand

nanomaterial interactions at the molecular and cellular level.

At first glance - for lignocellulosic-based nanomaterials - one would probably expect
that such materials being produced by living organisms should not pose an environ-
mental, health or safety problem. The concern about environmental, health and safety