Rationales for the Food and Agricultural Applications of Nanotechnology and Exposure Science Required for Its Regulation

Abstract

According to White House science advisors, U.S. federal government budgetary, personal, infrastructural and policy support is necessary for research into the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS effects) of exposure to Engineered Nanoscale Materials (ENMs) to guarantee the responsible commercialization of ENMs in consumer and industrial products. Validated databases of exposure data from Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) of products with ENMs requires adequate support and the cooperation of product developers. This article summarizes some EHS exposure research accomplished in the absence of the product developer cooperation and adequate support. EHS research into food and agriculture applications of nanotechnology is used to exemplify several challenges in developing the validated LCA exposure data bases required for risk assessments and subsequent regulation of nanotechnology enabled products.

Role of nanotechnology in horticulture: An overview

“…Nanomaterials exhibit associations with soil microbes, influencing nutrient uptake in plants due to their ability to modify intercellular activity (Singh, 2017) [37] . Concerns arise in human health as nanoparticles can readily enter biological systems and cross cell membranes during spraying, potentially reaching vital organs like the liver, brain, or heart (Suppan, 2017) [38] . Findings suggest negative impacts of nanofertilizers, emphasizing the need for systematic assessments covering risks to human health, food security, ecosystem impacts, standardized crop formulas, and guidelines.…”