Pollution assessment of nanomaterials

Abstract Nanomaterials have presented important opportunities in the development of technological applications in the health, telecommunications, transportation, waste management, energy, manufacturing, food and agriculture, biotechnology, and textiles sectors. On the other hand, health, safety, and environmental management of nanotechnology and nanomaterials are important aspects to mitigate associated risks and improve their benefits to humans and the environment. To date, the behavior of nanomaterials in the environment and the dominant physicochemical properties that affect, among others, their mobility, solubility, aggregation within environmental ecosystems, transport mechanisms, interactions and modifications, and bioavailability and toxicology are not well understood. This chapter discusses the sources and characteristics of nanomaterials, their mobility and transport within environmental ecosystems, steps taken by the international community to regulate their usage, and their potential impact on human health and the environment.