Nanotechnology can be harnessed to address critical development problems, including water, say researchers. In a new report [1], water treatment was ranked third among the top ten applications most likely to benefit developing countries. Nanotechnology exploits the novel phenomena and properties of matter at atomic and molecular levels.

Nano-membranes and nano-clays are said to be inexpensive, portable and easily cleaned systems that purify, detoxify and desalinate water more efficiently than conventional bacterial and viral filters. Carbon nano-tubes can be used as sensors to monitor water quality. Wastewater reuse systems based on titanium dioxide and magnetic nano-particles, can decompose organic pollutants and remove salts and heavy metals.

Critics of nanotechnology, like Pat Mooney, point to the fact that not enough is known about the potential environmental and health risks. He said it would be better for Northern countries to focus on meeting their development aid commitments rather than on “hi-tech toys”. Business analysts expect that much of the water-related nanotechnology will eventually end up in the hands of three large multinationals: Suez, Vivendi and General Electric.

[1] Salamanca-Buentello, F... [et al.] (2005). Nanotechnology and
the developing world. PLoS Med, vol. 2, no. 4 ; p. 300-304. http://www.utoronto.ca/jcb/home/documents/PLoS_nanotech.pdf

Contact: Peter Singer, University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics (JCB), Canada, peter.singer@utoronto.ca, http://www.utoronto.ca/jcb/about/singer.htm ; Pat Mooney,  Executive Director, ETC Group, Canada, etc@etcgroup.orghttp://www.etcgroup.org/bio_mooney.asp

Source: University of Toronto JCB, 12 Apr 2005 ; Stephen Leahy, IPS, 13 Apr ; Charles Q. Choi, UPI / World Peace Herald, 18 Mar 2005

Tags: water quality