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Vol.
34 No. 2
March-April 2012
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Information about new, current, and complete IUPAC projects and related initiatives.
See also www.iupac.org/projects |
Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs, 1-100 nm) are found in an increasing number of daily products (such as lotions, shampoos, socks, and toys) and applications (e.g., biomedical, electronic, and environmental) due to the rapid development and use of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is one of the most promising new technologies of the 21st century and will have dramatic impacts across all scientific fields. Due to their anticipated high-volume production and widespread use, ENPs will be introduced into the environment from intentional application, accidental release, and disposal at the end of the life-cycle of ENP-containing products. As a matter of fact, it has been reported that ENPs have already entered the environment as a result of ENP-containing paints.
Presently, the development of ENPs and their applications have outpaced the research on their potential health and environmental risks. Recent toxicological data do raise concerns over the environmental and health impacts of ENPs, which will be largely determined by their fate, mobility, and bioavailability. There is a urgent need for a comprehensive and updated book to systematically collect and integrate all the latest information, data, and knowledge on the source, release, exposure, bioavailability, transport, transformation, and fate and modeling of ENPs in the environment.
With a systematic and interdisciplinary approach, this project will bring together world-renowned international scientists to integrate the latest discoveries, development, and future prospects of ENPs in the environment and various ecosystems. The book that is envisioned as this project outcome will be useful for the sustainable development of nanotechnology, and it will be a valuable resource for students, professors, scientists, engineers, and professional consultants. It should also inspire talented young people to take part in this important area of research.
For more information, contact Task Group Chair Baoshan Xing <bx@pssci.
umass.edu>.
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