Concerns about Nanoparticles in the Environment

Many interested parties, including the Canadian ETC Group and the insurance company SwissRe, have expressed their concern over releasing tiny particles which, because of their small size, are able to travel very far into the environment. They warn that we do not yet know how these particles will act in the environment or what chemical reactions they will trigger on meeting other particles. However, these same groups also concur with nanotechnology advocates who feel the field may offer 'cleaner' technologies, and, ultimately, a cleaner environment. But mostly, the concern is for the lack of research into nanotechnology's potential threats to human health, society and the environment.