Predicted environmental concentration of engineering nanomaterials as emerging pollutants: baseline scenario

espanolLa nanotecnologia es una de las tecnologias de mas rapido crecimiento y mas prometedoras de nuestra sociedad. Debido a su potencial para desarrollar nuevos productos de valor agregado, un numero creciente de nanomateriales de ingenieria (ENM) ya estan disponibles en el mercado. No obstante, a diferencia de sus beneficios, hay un debate en curso sobre sus posibles efectos adversos en la salud humana y el medio ambiente. Esta rapida proliferacion, sin embargo, conlleva un crucial problema ambiental debido al aumento esperado de la concentracion de ENMs en el medio ambiente. La concentracion actual de ENMs sigue siendo desconocida y poco investigada. Ademas, los estudios toxicologicos senalaron efectos adversos en especies clave y comunidades. Las actividades que apoyan la caracterizacion de la concentracion de ENMs en el medio ambiente mejoraran la proteccion del medio ambiente. Este articulo realizo una revision exhaustiva de los datos actuales sobre la concentracion de ENMs en el medio ambiente, demostrando la presencia de ENMs en agua dulce,donde se estimaron cantidades superiores a 76 µg/L en publicaciones revisadas por pares. EnglishNanotechnology is one of the fastest growing and most promising technologies in our society. Due to its potential to develop new added value products, a growing number of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are already available on the market. However, in contrast to their benefits, there is an on-going debate about their potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. Such rapid proliferation however entails a crucial environmental problem due to an expected increase of the concentration of ENMs in the environment. The current concentration of ENMs remains unknown and poorly researched. In addition, toxicological studies pointed out adverse effects on key species and communities. Activities supporting the characterization of the concentration of ENMs in the environment will improve the protection of the environment. This paper conducte a thorough review of current data on the concentration of ENMs in the environment, demonstrating the presence of ENMs in freshwater, where quantities above 76 µg/L were estimated in peer reviewed publications.