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

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.
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