Behavior Modification Could Ease Concerns about Nanoparticles

Summary posted by Meridian on 11/12/2009
Source: American Chemical Society
Author: n/a

A new study, published November 12, in the journal Environmental Science & Technology ("Fate of Silica Nanoparticles in Simulated Primary Wastewater Treatment"), reports on the development of a technology for changing the behavior of nanoparticles in municipal sewage treatment plants. Sewage treatment plants are the main gateway for nanoparticles to enter the environment, and large increases in the production of such nanoparticles are expected in the next decade. Studies have indicated that some nanoparticles could have adverse environmental health effects. The study, conducted by the United Kingdom Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, showed that coating silica nanoparticles with a detergent-like material resulted in the nanoparticles clumping together into a solid residue termed sewage sludge. Uncoated nanoparticles stayed in the water and remained in the effluent stream. The scientists say the findings demonstrate the potential for coating, or changing the surface chemistry of nanoparticles, as a way to re-route the journey of nanoparticles through sewage treatment plants. The article can be viewed online at the link below.

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our team contact us site map	Behavior Modification Could Ease Concerns about Nanoparticles Summary posted by Meridian on 11/12/2009 Source: American Chemical Society Author: n/a A new study, published November 12, in the journal Environmental Science & Technology ("Fate of Silica Nanoparticles in Simulated Primary Wastewater Treatment"), reports on the development of a technology for changing the behavior of nanoparticles in municipal sewage treatment plants. Sewage treatment plants are the main gateway for nanoparticles to enter the environment, and large increases in the production of such nanoparticles are expected in the next decade. Studies have indicated that some nanoparticles could have adverse environmental health effects. The study, conducted by the United Kingdom Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, showed that coating silica nanoparticles with a detergent-like material resulted in the nanoparticles clumping together into a solid residue termed sewage sludge. Uncoated nanoparticles stayed in the water and remained in the effluent stream. The scientists say the findings demonstrate the potential for coating, or changing the surface chemistry of nanoparticles, as a way to re-route the journey of nanoparticles through sewage treatment plants. The article can be viewed online at the link below. The original article may still be available at portal.acs.org/portal/acs/corg/content?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PP_ART... As tagged by Meridian Institute: Implications: Governance, Environmental Risks Nanomaterials: Naturally Occurring Regions: Europe Stakeholders: Government, Academia Water And Sanitation: Quality, Sanitation Minerals And Metals: Minerals Related Forums: Water and Sanitation Metals and Minerals Environmental Risks Governance print format	NDN Home Subscribe Manage Subscription Search News Archives Understanding Public Debate on Nanotechnologies: Options for Framing Public Policy -- The Innovation Society (2/8/2010) The Governance and Ethics Unit of the Directorate General for Research (DG Research) of the European Commission (EC) has published an overview paper on options for framing public policy on nanotechnologies. [More] UN Patent Filings Dropped for 1st Time Since 1978 -- ABC news (2/8/2010) The United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), an entity through which a company can, for a fee, file a request for patent protection in any or all of the 142 countries that have subscribed to the U.N.'s Patent Cooperation Treaty, reported that the number of international patent filings dropped last year for the first time since 1978. [More] TECHNOLOGY: Science Panel Probes Renewable Energy's Current Use of China's Rare Metals -- Environment & Energy Daily (2/8/2010) A United States House of Representatives Science and Technology subcommittee this week will hold a hearing on rare earth mineral production and the resource's role in the growing clean energy industry. [More] Nanofood for Thought -- Nature Nanotechnology (2/5/2010) This editorial, in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, is in response to the recent report, "Nanotechnologies and Food", released in January by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, United Kingdom, that criticized the food industry for failing to be transparent about its research into the uses of nanotechnologies and nanomaterials. [More] More News... Learn how to include these headlines on your own website by clicking here. Please email us if you require text-only versions of the daily emails.