Abstract
Nanotechnology is an emerging field of science and technology with a strong potential to revolutionize the advancement in the field. Various nanomate-rials (NMs) have been demonstrated to improve optoelectronic devices, biosensors, batteries, smart fabric, food packaging materials, agricultural yield, etc. No wonder, the consumer products containing NMs are rapidly growing. However, the impact of these NMs with environment, aquatic sources and in particular with humans is largely obscure. The sub-branch of this new emerging field is termed nano-ecotoxicology. The issue has drawn the attention of policymakers around the globe, and there is an increasing attempt to promote such studies by the government agencies. In this chapter, a comprehensive essay is compiled that strings together major aspects of the field. The chapter commences with classification NMs, lists major applications of NMs, and then discusses occurrences of NMs in various consumer products and the projected market size in near future. The major portion in the latter half of the chapter discusses nano-ecotoxicology and the fate of various NMs in aquatic/marine, atmosphere, and human body.
