Global Dialogue on Nanotechnology and the Poor ... - Nanowerk

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nanotechnology, water, & development other endeavors of this kind.The researchers in this particular case would like to upscale the current NF pilot plant to supply clean water to the whole village of 40,000 people.The project could be replicated in other parts of the developing world that face hard and saline water challenges because of its low-cost design, ease of operation, and low maintenance costs. The operating costs for a kiloliter of product water from brackish water range from USD 0.16 to USD 0.25 using this nanofiltration technology.The operating costs for reverse osmosis membrane technology are approximately USD 0.36 per kiloliter. 133 These affordable costs make nanofiltration technology accessible to poor communities in rural areas of South Africa. Poor rural communities could source funds from NGOs for the implementation of this technology in cases where funding cannot be obtained from governments. In addition to the direct humanitarian benefits of improving access to clean water, the technology highlighted in this case study can also promote economic viability in rural communities. For example, a research student who has been working for the pilot project is already planning on acquiring this system to install in her village. With the recent launch of the nanotechnology strategy in South Africa and the need to provide potable water to the majority of the people who have no access to clean water, the authors expect that a wide range of stakeholders will support projects with similar attributes. 133 N. Herbert, et al.,“Defluoridation, Denitrification and Desalination of Water using Ion-Exchange and Reverse Osmosis Technology,” A report to the Water Research Commission, Report no.TT 124/00, 2006. 39
nanotechnology, water, & development [5] conclusion Lack of access to clean water and basic sanitation is affecting millions of people around the world.The well-documented economic, social, and environmental challenges resulting from the lack of access to clean water and basic sanitation have inspired many activities aimed at addressing these problems. Nanotechnology-based water treatment devices are already available and many more are likely to come on the market in the coming years. Due to the pressing human development needs and the availability of promising new technologies, many people have identified nanotechnology for water purification as a high priority area for further action. The paper demonstrates that nanotechnology research is being conducted in a broad spectrum of areas relevant to water treatment – filters, catalysts, magnetic nanoparticles, and sensors. However, the maturity of research and development efforts is uneven across these areas, with nanofiltration currently appearing as the most mature. Interest in the application of nanotechnology to water treatment devices appears to be driven by several factors including, but not limited to, reduced costs, improved ability to selectively remove contaminants, durability, and size of device. While the current generation of nanofilters may be relatively simple, many researchers believe that future generations of nano-based water treatment devices will capitalize on the new properties of nanoscale materials. Advances through nanotechnology, therefore, may prove to be of significant interest to both developed and developing countries. As the South African case study illustrates, water treatment devices incorporating nanotechnology may be more mature than many people assume; they are already being used. It also demonstrates that nanotechnology projects are being initiated and implemented by developing countries; the use of these technologies is not limited only to developed countries. Furthermore, while many developing countries are pursuing nanotechnology for economic reasons, the South African case study highlights a project that is being implemented to meet a humanitarian need. The paper describes the range of issues that should be considered when developing and implementing a water treatment project using nanotechnology.The Bangladesh case study, which features a nonnanotechnology approach for treating water, helps illustrate the range of issues that must be considered by any project developing and implementing a water treatment project. Projects incorporating nanotechnology, however, are likely to raise specific questions about potential environmental and human health risks.The South African case study, for example, touches on these risk issues.The limited review of potential risks may reflect a confidence among project sponsors about the safety of the device used in the case study. It may, however, also indicate a relative lack of information about the risks of nanotechnology, especially information specific to water treatment devices. This paper is intended as a resource to help people understand the severity of the water and sanitation problem in developing countries, the issues confronting people trying to address this challenge, and the potential opportunities and risks of using nanotechnology to improve sanitation and access to clean water. It is also intended as a resource for participants in a workshop on nanotechnology, water, and development, which Meridian Institute is convening in 2006.The objective of the workshop will be to develop recommendations that will inform decisions and catalyze actions by stakeholders involved with: Nanotechnology research and development efforts relevant to providing clean water in developing countries. Activities to address potential environmental, health, safety, socioeconomic, and other issues related to the use of nanotechnology to provide clean water. In developing these recommendations, workshop participants will discuss a range of questions including, but not necessarily limited to the following. What are the barriers to improving sanitation and access to clean water in developing countries? How can science, technology, and existing knowledge help address these challenges? What potential does nanotechnology present for addressing these challenges? To the extent that nanotechnology presents opportunities, are there risks and other issues that need to be addressed? What can be done to catalyze or accelerate activities that address these opportunities and risks? We invite your insights about these questions and feedback about the paper. Please send your comments to Meridian Institute at: nanowater@merid.org. 40
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