Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
1997 ). Sustainability is the key for reduction
and prevention of the adverse effects of envi-
ronmental issues.
Nanoparticles have attracted considerable
attraction due to their unusual and fascinating
properties over their bulk counterparts for vari-
ous applications, and nanotechnology involves
the engineering of functional systems at the
atomic or molecular scale (Hasna et al. 2012 ),
i.e., projected ability to construct items using
techniques and tools to make complete, high-
performance products. Nanotechnology has a
vital role in the development of innovative meth-
ods for manufacture of new products, substitu-
tion of current equipments of production, and
reformulation of new materials and chemicals
possessing improved performance characteristics
that would result in less consumption of energy
and materials and reduce harm to the environ-
ment as well as aid in environmental remediation,
thus giving possibilities to remediate problems
associated with the current processes in a more
sustainable manner.
Environmental applications of nanotechnol-
ogy answer to questions pertaining to the devel-
opment of solutions to the existing environmental
issues, preventive measures for future problems
resulting from the interactions of energy and
materials with the environment, and possible
risks, if any, posed by nanotechnology itself
(Mansoori et al. 2008 ). The environmental impact
of nanotechnology can be viewed with respect to
energy applications of nanotechnology and also
on the infl uence of nanochemistry on wastewater
treatment, air purifi cation, and energy storage
devices (Zhang 2003 ; Hillie and Hlophe 2007 ;
Tian et al. 2007 ). The broader environmental
impacts of nanotechnology also need consider-
ation which include the environmental impact of
the cost, size, and availability of advanced tech-
nological devices, models to determine potential
benefi ts of reduction or prevention of pollutants
from environmental sources, potential new direc-
tions in environmental science due to advanced
sensors, effect of rapid advances in health care
and health management as related to the environ-
ment, impact of artifi cial nanoparticles in the
atmosphere, and impacts for the development of
nanomachines (Hutchison 2001 ). Early application
of nanotechnology having environmental impli-
cations includes the use of zerovalent iron for
remediation of soil and water contaminated with
chlorinated compounds and heavy metals which
proves to be a rapidly emerging technology with
potential benefi ts. Environmental remediation
involves degradation, sequestration, and other
related approaches that would result in reduced
risks to human and environmental receptors
posed by different types of contaminants, the
benefi ts of which would be more rapid and cost-
effective cleanup of waste (Mansoori et al. 2008 ).
Minimizing quantities and exposure to hazardous
waste to air and water and provision of safe
drinking water are among the prominent goals of
environmental protection agencies, where nano-
technology could play a pivotal role in pollution
prevention technologies (Ahmadpour et al. 2003 ;
Shahsavand and Ahmadpour 2004 ; Darnault
et al. 2005 ). Though the conventional physical
and chemical methods are more popular for man-
ufacture of nanotechnology products, they face
the demerit of being environmentally toxic, and
it is at this juncture where green nanotechnol-
ogy gains prominence due to eco-friendliness,
which incorporates goals and principles of green
chemistry and green engineering.
2
Green Nanotechnology
Green nanotechnology involves the development
of clean technologies to minimize potential
environmental and human health risks associated
with the manufacture and use of nanotechnology
products and to encourage replacement of exist-
ing products with new nanoproducts that are
more environmentally friendly throughout their
life cycle (Schmidt 2007 ). It emphasizes the use
of nanotechnology to uplift the environmental
sustainability of processes that are currently
exhibiting negative effects and primarily about
making green nanoproducts and using them in
support of sustainability. It has two main goals:
1 . Production of nanomaterials and products
without harming the environment or human
health and production of nanoproducts that
 
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