Effects and Risks of Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials on Environment and Human Health

Development of nanomaterials and their use in the textile field is opening new opportunities for products with special functional and technological features; however, there is also expressed concern over the environmental and human health aspects of nanomaterials. This paper discusses the environmental impacts and health risks of nanomaterials commonly used in textiles, e.g. silver nanoparticles (Ag), silica nanoparticles (SiO2), titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO), nanoparticles of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), carbon-black nanoparticles, montmorillonite and carbon nanotubes (CNT).