Nanoparticles Released Into Water Systems From Nanoproducts And Structural Nanocomposites Applications

The increasing research and production of nanomaterials raise questions about their fate and behavior. The manufacturing of nanocomposites for engineering applications or everyday goods is omnipresent. Consequently, numerous studies have focused on studying the potential health risks of nanoparticles and nanomaterials on human health and the environment. To do so the properties of different nanoparticles must be characterized and a sufficient amount must be sampled for ecotoxicological investigations. At present, limited knowledge and a number of major uncertainties exist regarding the behavior, chemical and biological interactions, and toxicological properties of engineered nanomaterials. This chapter will therefore look into the generation of new basic knowledge which is crucial for the assessment of the fate and behavior of nanotechnology-based materials, and review current efforts related to the possible impacts that occur during the whole life cycle of nanomaterials.