Addressing medium- and long-term expectations for human health, this book reviews current scientific and technical developments in nanotechnology for biomedical, agrofood, and environmental applications. This collection of perspectives on the ethical, legal, and societal implications of bionanotechnology provides unique insight into contemporary technological developments. Readers with a technical background will benefit from the overview of the state-of-the-art research in their field, while readers with a social science background will benefit from the discussion of realistic prospects of nanotechnology. The text also includes a glossary as well as extensive end-of-chapter references.
This book reviews the various applications of nanotechnology in human health. The introductory chapters focus on the classifications, types, synthesis, and characterization of various types of nanomaterials, while subsequent chapters highlight current applications of nanomaterials in the diagnosis and treatment of microbial and viral infections, and also in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Further, the book explores the potential role of nanomaterials in connection with neuronal differentiation, neuronal protection, and neurological diseases. It demonstrates the use of nanotechnology to diagnose and treat genetic disorders, as well as endocrine and metabolic syndrome diseases. It also discusses the ethics and the negative impacts of nanomaterials on human health. Lastly, it examines the intellectual property aspects and government regulations associated with the research, design, and commercialization of nanotechnology-based products. Given its scope, it offers a valuable resource for all researchers and professionals working with nanotechnology-based applications in human health.
This book describes how man-made litter, primarily plastic, has spread into the remotest parts of the oceans and covers all aspects of this pollution problem from the impacts on wildlife and human health to socio-economic and political issues. Marine litter is a prime threat to marine wildlife, habitats and food webs worldwide. The book illustrates how advanced technologies from deep-sea research, microbiology and mathematic modelling as well as classic beach litter counts by volunteers contributed to the broad awareness of marine litter as a problem of global significance. The authors summarise more than five decades of marine litter research, which receives growing attention after the recent discovery of great oceanic garbage patches and the ubiquity of microscopic plastic particles in marine organisms and habitats. In 16 chapters, authors from all over the world have created a universal view on the diverse field of marine litter pollution, the biological impacts, dedicated research activities, and the various national and international legislative efforts to combat this environmental problem. They recommend future research directions necessary for a comprehensive understanding of this environmental issue and the development of efficient management strategies. This book addresses scientists, and it provides a solid knowledge base for policy makers, NGOs, and the broader public.
An increased understanding of the environmental and human health impacts of engineered nanoparticles is essential for the responsible development of nanotechnology and appropriate evidence-based policy and guidelines for risk assessment. Presenting the latest advances in the field from a variety of scientific disciplines, this book offers a comprehensive overview of this challenging, inter-disciplinary research area. Topics covered include: The properties, preparation and applications of nanomaterials Characterization and analysis of manufactured nanoparticles The fate and behaviour of nanomaterials in aquatic, terrestrial and atmospheric environments Ecotoxicology and human toxicology of manufactured nanoparticles Occupational health and exposure of nanomaterials Risk assessment and global regulatory and policy responses Understanding the behaviour and impacts of nanotechnology in the environment and in human health is a daunting task and many questions remain to be answered. Environmental and Human Health Impacts of Nanotechnology will serve as a valuable resource for academic researchers in nanoscience and nanotechnology, environmental science, materials science and biology, as well as for scientists in industry, regulators and policy makers.
Assessing Nanoparticle Risks to Human Health provides a systematic overview of nanoparticle risks and considers the limitations of this paradigm in a context where extreme uncertainties prevail. As well as exploring conventional risk assessment methodology, the contributing authors investigate several alternate approaches. The adequacy of current frameworks for risk management and regulatory oversights, including corporate approaches in the US and EU, are explored, and suggestions are made as to how these frameworks can be modified to make them more efficient and effective.Presenting a coherent framework for analysis of the available information, this book presents the latest scientific understanding of the toxicity and health effects of nanoparticles, the technical issues relating to exposure assessment and management, and the ways in which the current risk paradigm can be used/modified to deal with the challenges of nanoparticle risks.All chapters of this new edition have been thoroughly updated to reflect the many changes in the field since the first edition. Additions and updates in the second edition of the book include: - New exposure assessment strategies for nanomaterials including life cycle exposure assessment approaches and detailed information on nanoparticle exposure control and protection in the workplace. - A state-of-the-art scientific update on the hazard and risk assessment of nanomaterials: discussion of key additional publications on the toxicology and biokinetics of nanomaterials; available data and methods to characterize the health hazard and risk of exposure to nanomaterials in the workplace; additional examples of the use of such data and methods to develop occupational safety and health guidance; and discussion of progress to date, ongoing efforts, and remaining challenges in nanomaterials hazard and risk characterization. - New studies on the use of expert judgment in nanotechnology. - Quantitative data from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's 4-phase study. - A description and evaluation of new CB tools and new ISO technical specifications. - A comprehensive update of the legal frameworks in the US and the EU. With the second edition of Assessing Nanoparticle Risks to Human Health Prof. Ramachandran provides researchers and practitioners producing or using nanoparticles, or those involved in nanomaterials risk assessments, technology, health science, policy, safety, environment and regulatory aspects an invaluable reference to adopt the right technologies and strategies and to comply to legal frameworks and regulations. For policy makers and advisory firms it provides the knowledge needed to advise on compliance with or development of new regulations on nanomaterials. - Makes essential reading for risk assessment professionals, companies working with nanoparticles, nanotechnology research groups and regulators - Explores the use of risk assessment methodologies in an occupational health setting, and their limitations - Provides a framework for evidence-based decision making in a context with many uncertainties
Should you adopt nanotechnology? If you have already adopted it, what do you need to know? What are the risks? Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies are revolutionizing the ways we treat disease, produce energy, manufacture products, and attend to our daily wants and needs. To continue to capture the promise of these transformative products, however, we need to ask critical questions about the broader impacts of nanotechnology on society and the environment. Exploring these questions, the second edition of Nanotechnology: Health and Environmental Risks gives you the latest tools to understand the risks of nanotechnology and make better decisions about using it. Examining the state of the science, the book discusses what is known, and what still needs to be understood, about nanotechnology risk. It looks at the uses of nanotechnology for energy, industry, medicine, technology, and consumer applications and explains how to determine whether there is risk—even when there is little reliable evidence—and how to manage it. Contributors cover a wide range of topics, including: Current concerns, among them perceived risks and the challenges of evaluating emerging technology A historical perspective on product safety and chemicals policy The importance of being proactive about identifying and managing health and environmental risks during product development How the concepts of sustainability and life cycle assessment can guide nanotechnology product development Methods for evaluating nanotechnology risks, including screening approaches and research How to manage risk when working with nanoscale materials at the research stage and in occupational environments What international organizations are doing to address risk issues How risk assessment can inform environmental decision making Written in easy-to-understand language, without sacrificing complexity or scientific accuracy, this book offers a wide-angle view of nanotechnology and risk. Supplying cutting-edge approaches and insight, it explains what types of risks could exist and what you can do to address them. What’s New in This Edition Updates throughout, reflecting advances in the field, new literature, and policy developments A new chapter on nanotechnology risk communication, including insights into risk perceptions and the mental models people use to evaluate technological risks An emphasis on developing nanotechnology products that are sustainable in the long term Advances in the understanding of nanomaterials toxicity Cutting-edge research on occupational exposure to nanoparticles Changes in the international landscape of organizations working on the environmental, health, and safety aspects of nanotechnologies
This book is an amalgamation of knowledge, experience, and expertise in various aspects of nanotechnology, by experts who are proficient in designing of novel nanoformulations that are used in the treatment of various challenging and prevalent diseases. It is an exhaustive compilation of the multi-faceted arena of nanoformulations and the healthcare system that caters to the needs of academicians, scholars, researchers etc. The most important aspect of the book covers various types of nanoformulations and their applications in treatment of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Each chapter focuses on a particular nanoformulation as well as a disease including the pathophysiology of the disease, the current treatment modalities of diseases, the role of nanoformulation in treatment and other future aspects and directions for further work. Coverage includes neuropathic pain, colon targeting, nose-to-brain drug delivery, skin cancer, arthritis and tuberculosis.
Nanotechnologies are among the fastest growing areas of scientific research, and this is expected to have a substantial impact on human health care, especially in biomedical applications and nanomedicine now and in the near future. In the present scenario, nanotechnology is spreading its wings to address the key problems in the field of nanomedicine and human health care by improving diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and tissue engineering. This book provides an in-depth investigation of nanotechnology-based therapy and recent advancements in this field for revolutionizing the treatments for various fatal diseases, including cardiovascular and infectious diseases.
This book combines the contributions from the experts of material science, molecular biology, toxicology bio-organic and bio-inorganic chemistry, toxicologists and environmental and food technology etc. to fathom the full scope of current and future of developments in the area of Nanobiotechnology. Provides brief overview of nanobiotechnology for general readers who are not familiar with the research fields and presents a strong overview of most of the critical areas in field This book can also be used as text book for graduate students as an essential reference material, and as an reading material for general readers having a curiosity in Nanobiotechnology.
The uses of nanotechnologies continue to rise exponentially. Due to their multifaceted nature, nanomaterials have a vast amount of potential uses in various scientific professions. Professionals in sectors including agriculture, nutrition, and healthcare are discovering the numerous benefits that nanomaterials carry when applied to traditional practices. In order to understand the dynamic properties of nanomaterials and how to utilize them in specific fields, significant research is required. Applications of Nanomaterials in Agriculture, Food Science, and Medicine is an essential reference source that discusses the emerging development of nanotechnology in various sectors of the scientific community as well as the current benefits and future uses. Industries that the book covers include energy storage and renewable energy, environmental science and wastewater treatment, food and agriculture, and medicine and bioinformatics. This book is ideally designed for researchers, engineers, practitioners, industrialists, educators, strategists, policymakers, scientists, and students seeking coverage on the strategic role of nanomaterials in these imperative fields.
