• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.257-265
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• 2008

Nanotechnology is emerging as one of the key technologies of the 21 st century and is expected to enable one to broaden the applicability across a wide range of sectors that can benefit public and improve industrial competitiveness. Already, consumer products containing nanomaterials are available in markets including coatings, computers, clothing, cosmetics, sports equipment and medical devices. Recently, Institute of Occupational Medicine in UK reported an occupational hygiene review for nanoparticles in the viewpoint of nanotoxicity. They reported that the exposure control is very important issues in workplace for exposure assessment, but no proper methods are available to measure the extent of exposures to nanoparticles in the workplace. Therefore, for the estimation of exposure of nanomaterials, we have to approach the material-balance methodology, which similarly carried out in TRI (toxic release inventory) for hazardous chemicals. In order to use this methodology, the exposure source of nanomaterials should be determined firstly. Therefore, herein we investigated the main sources and processes for the exposure to nanomaterals by conducting the survey. The results could be used to define and assess nanohazard sources.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.247-256
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• 2008

Public perceptions of nanotechnology and its potential risk can be an important measure for the sustainable advances of the technology. We conducted a survey for public (N =599) and experts (N = 165). They answered the same questions and results were analyzed. 74% of the public have not heard about the potential risk of nanotechnology and 77% expected that nanotechnology/materials are not harmful to the human and nature. 74% of experts realized the potential hazards by nanomaterials. The results represented that large perception gab between public and experts has existed in Korea. Interestingly, Korean public thought that nanotechnology is more profitable and less risky than that of American. We suggest that 'now is the best time to give appropriate information on the potential risk of nanotechnology to Korean public without preconception or exaggeration.'

• Clean Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.161-172
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• 2007

Fusion technology based on the nanotechnology should be introduced to clean technology for the breakthrough advances. Today, nanoparticles, nanotubes and other engineered nanomaterials are already in use in hundreds of everyday consumer products, and these materials are able to move around the human and environmental mediamore readily than larger particles of pollution. Because of their extremely small size and large surface area, nanoparticles are known to be more reactive and toxic than larger particles. Consequently, this feature raised many concerns of significant health, safety and environment. Herein, we reviewed risk assessment for health and environmental hazards of nanomaterials, and then revealed the potential hazardous of nanomaterials.