Opportunities and Threats from Nanotechnology in Health, Food, Agriculture, and the Environment

Nanotechnology, a relatively new field of research and industrial materials development based on the creation of new classes of novel molecular structures, is making rapid advances that promise to radically change or influence many fields of science and technology. The development of various types of nanomaterials for application in revolutionary medical treatments, agricultural research and food safety diagnostic methods, new environmental remediation procedures, energy applications like solar cell coatings, and even high-volume, everyday products such as cosmetics, dirt-repelling fabrics, and self-cleaning paint, offer innumerable possibilities for human progress. However, it is essential and urgent to assess not only the benefits but also the potential risks posed by nanoparticles, and agree on effective measures to prevent such risks through appropriate regulatory approaches