W1 PM Overview of Manufactured Nanomaterials and the Environment
Wednesday, 16 November 2005: 1:50 PM - 5:30 PM in Ballroom 1

(HUL-1117-860483) SETAC and Nanoecotoxicology.

Hull, M¹, ¹ Luna Innovations Inc, Blacksburg, VA, USA

ABSTRACT- Nanoecotoxicology is poised to become an important new focus of environmental toxicology and chemistry research. As these words are written, major classes of engineered nanoparticles such as fullerenes, nanotubes, quantum dots, and nano-scale metal oxide powders are being scrutinized in laboratories around the world, primarily in North America and Europe, for their potential toxicological effects on cellular processes in vivo and in vitro. Comparatively little progress, however, is being made towards determining fate, transport, transformation, and ecotoxicological behavior of these materials once released into the environment. Thus, studies are critically needed in virtually all aspects of nanoecotoxicology research ranging from determining environmentally-relevant exposure scenarios to establishing predictive models based on readily quantifiable physical and chemical characteristics of engineered nanoparticles (e.g., surface area, particle size, surface functional groups). The SETAC research community is particularly well suited to undertake these studies and will play an important role in understanding the impact of engineered nanoparticles on environmental systems, development of environmentally-benign nanomaterials, and ultimately, regulation of the nanotechnology industry. The intention of this presentation is to stimulate much needed ecotoxicological study of engineered nanoparticles and to present an overview of this emerging global environmental issue to the SETAC research community from the perspective of individuals actively involved in developing and applying nanomaterials.

Key words: nanotechnology, nanomaterial, nanoparticle, ecotoxicology