International Council on Nanotechnology

ICON Web & News Virtual Journal Everything

Resources
	Virtual Journal
	Analyze Database
	GoodNanoGuide
	ICON Reports
	ICON Backgrounders
	Glossary
	Policy Reports
	Ratings Comment Guidelines
	Links

Quick Search:
Keywords: Search: Search Using OECD Database

Details

Return to Previous Page

Addition or Correction

Title:

Nano-pesticides: state of knowledge, environmental fate and exposure modelling Nano-pesticides: state of knowledge

Date:

6/2012

Link to Journal Abstract

Abstract:

Published literature has been reviewed in order to (i) explore the (potential) applications of nano-technology in pesticide formulation, (ii) identify possible impacts on environmental fate and (iii) analyse the suitability of current exposure assessment procedures to account for the novel properties of nano-pesticides within the EU regulatory context. The term nano-pesticide covers a wide variety of products and cannot be considered to represent a single category. Many nano-formulations combine several surfactants, polymers, and metal nano-particles in the nm size range. The aims of nano-formulations are generally common to other pesticide formulations, these being to increase the apparent solubility of poorly soluble active ingredients, to release the active ingredient in a slow/targeted manner and/or to protect against premature degradation. Nano-formulations are thus expected (i) to have significant impacts on the fate of active ingredients and/or (ii) to introduce new ingredients for which the environmental fate is still poorly understood (e.g. nano-silver). Therefore, it seems that adaptations of current exposure assessment approaches will be necessary, at least for some nano-pesticides. The present analysis provides a useful framework to identify priorities for future research in order to achieve more robust risk assessments of nano-pesticides.

Non-technical Summary:

For this paper, published literature has been reviewed in order to (i) explore the (potential) applications of nano-technology in pesticide formulation, (ii) identify possible impacts on environmental fate and (iii) analyse the suitability of current exposure assessment procedures to account for the novel properties of nano-pesticides within the EU regulatory context.

Content Emphasis

Review Article

Exposure Or Hazard Target

Multiple

Exposure Pathway

Other/Unspecified

Method Of Study

Environmental Study

Paper Type

Environmental Fate and Transport

Particle Type

Other/Unspecified