Nanotechnology and its Environmental Effects

Today's San Francisco Chronicle has an article that explains some of the positive contributions nanotechnology has made to some products that are already on the market, such as stain-proof pants and stronger, yet lighter sports equipment. It also points out the potential negative long-term environmental effects - since products made with nanotechnology are relatively new (if nanotechnology itself isn't), these negative effects are sure to be reported more and more as the technology matures.

A specific example the article uses is the use of silver nano particles. They are used to combat bacteria, so the concern is that if the particles are released in the water system, beneficial bacteria can be killed.

To read more about what nanotechnology is, see this link.