Nanotechnology: Opportunities and Risks
The German Environment Agency evaluates and reviews the aspects of nanotechnology relevant to the environment. What is nanotechnology? What opportunities and risks does it hold?
Nanotechnology refers to the production, research or application of particles or surfaces which are smaller than 100 nanometres (10 millionths of a metre). The German Environment Agency (UBA) evaluates and reviews the aspects of this technology which are relevant to the environment. It has focussed on the opportunities and risks of nanotechnology since 2001.
What are some of the applications for nanotechnology?
Engineered nanomaterials have new properties which are used specifically to develop new products and applications. Nanotechnology is expected to generate a number of innovative developments in different technical fields – energy technology, chemical production technology, information- and communication technology as well as many applications in society and industry. Nanotechnology products like scratch-proof coatings or organic solar cells are capturing the market with a positive impact on the economy. In 2013 some 2,300 institutions in Germany (SMEs, large corporations, higher education institutions, research institutes) employed more than 70,000 people in the field of nanotechnology. The 2013 estimated turnover of nanotechnological products in Germany was about 15 billion euros.
What opportunities and risks does nanotechnology harbour for the environment?
The environment can benefit from nanotechnology since it promises a conservation of raw materials, reduction of the production of harmful by-products, increased efficiency in energy conversion, a reduction of energy consumption, and the elimination of pollutants from the environment. There is very little data available on the subject up to now. The UBA commissioned a series of studies which demonstrate, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the opportunities and risks of nanotechnology processes and products for the environment and for environmental protection. The studies are entitled: “Environmental Relief Effects through Nanotechnological Processes and Products” (in German with English-language summary) (Bremen University); “Applications of Nanomaterials in Environmental Protection” (in German with English-language summary) (Golder Associates, Celle); “Analysis and Strategic Management of Nanoproducts with Regard to their Sustainability Potential – Nano-Sustainability Check” (Öko-Institut, Freiburg).
Current activities of the German Environment Agency
For information about current activities and research and development projects of the German Environment Agency please visit our sites Good to know and Research and development projects.
UBA publications on nanotechnology
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Conference reports
Scientific Stakeholder Meeting on Nanomaterials in the Environment
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Background and position papers
Nanomaterials in the environment Nanomaterials and REACH Concept for a European Register of Products Containing Nanomaterials Nanotechnology for humans and the environment Summary of the results of the Sponsorship Programme for nanoscale titanium dioxide of the OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials
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Research strategy of the higher federal authorities on risks related to nanomaterials for humans and the environment
Review Nano Research Strategy of higher federal authorities 2016 Research Strategy Risks of Nanotechnology – 1st Evaluation 2013
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Fact sheets: Nanotechnology in various fields of application
Use of nanomaterials and nanoscale products for wastewater treatment Use of Nanomaterials in Energy Storage Use of nanomaterials in coatings Use of nanoscale iron for the remediation of groundwater damages Nanotechnology-based lighting systems: organic light-emitting diode (OLED) Use of nanomaterials in textiles
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2021
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2020
Development of a method to determine the bioaccumulation of manufactured nanomaterials in filtering organisms (Bivalvia) Untersuchungen zur möglichen Freisetzung von Nanopartikeln bei der Ablagerung und bodenbezogenen Anwendung von mineralischen Abfällen Developing a Guidance Document for the testing of dissolution and dispersion stability of nanomaterials, and the use of the data for further environmental testing and assessment strategies
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2019
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2017
Considerations about the relationship of nanomaterial’s physical-chemical properties and aquatic toxicity for the purpose of grouping Clarification of methodical questions regarding the investigation of nanomaterials in the environment
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2016
Untersuchung möglicher Umweltauswirkungen bei der Entsorgung nanomaterialhaltiger Abfälle in Abfallbehandlungsanlagen Zusammenstellung der Ergebnisse des Sponsorship Programms zu nanoskaligem Titandioxid der OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials
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2015
Integrative test strategy for the environmental assessment of nanomaterials
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2014
Assessment of Impacts of a European Register of Products Containing Nanomaterials Carcinogenicity and Mutagenicity of Nanoparticles – Assessment of Current Knowledge as Basis for Regulation Environmental hazard of selected TiO2 nanomaterials under consideration of relevant exposure scenarios Toxikologie von Nanomaterialien, Wirkmechanismen und Kanzerogenität Untersuchung der Auswirkungen ausgewählter nanotechnischer Produkte auf den Rohstoff- und Energiebedarf
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2013
Investigation of two widely used nanomaterials (TiO2, Ag) for ecotoxicological long-term effects Investigation of widely used nanomaterials (TiO2, Ag) and gold nanoparticles in standardized ecotoxicological tests Mobility, fate and behavior of TiO2 nanomaterials in different environmental media
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2012
Analysis and Strategic Management of Nanoproducts with Regard to their Sustainability Potential Fate and behaviour of TiO2 nanomaterials in the environment, influenced by their shape, size and surface area
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2010
Einsatz von Nanomaterialien als Alternative zu biozidhaltigen Antifouling-Anstrichen und deren Umweltauswirkungen Emission von Nanopartikeln aus ausgewählten Produkten in ihrem Lebenszyklus Entlastungseffekte für die Umwelt durch nanotechnische Verfahren und Produkte Quantitative biokinetic analysis of radioactively labelled, inhaled Titanium dioxide Nanoparticles in a rat model Untersuchung des Einsatzes von Nanomaterialien im Umweltschutz
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2008
Beurteilung der Gesamtumweltexposition von Silberionen aus Biozid-Produkten
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2007
Rechtsgutachten Nano-Technologien - ReNaTe Technisches Vorgehen bei der Testung von Nanopartikeln Zukunftsmarkt Nachhaltige Wasserwirtschaft und Nanotechnologie
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2006
Verteilung, Eigenschaften und Verhalten von Aerosolpartikeln
