Monitoring nanoparticles in the environment

The presence of nanoparticles in the environment can have important implications for both environmental and human health. Nanoscience and nanotechnology are expected to change industrial production and the economy as we know them today. However, nanotechnologies can also be a source of risks. The increasing use of nanoparticles in industrial applications will inevitably lead to the release of such materials into the environment. Accurately assessing the environmental risks posed by nanoparticles requires using effective quantitative analytical methods to determine their mobility, reactivity, ecotoxicity and persistency, many of which have still to be developed. This overview describes some methodological aspects relating to the fields of nanoparticle analysis, nanometrology and analytical chemistry.