By

Dr. Abdel Moneim Sedky

Professor at animal production research institute. Egypt

At a time when many researchers and scientists, with the support of academic and governmental research in the agricultural field, are heading towards nanotechnology as a rapid progress and an unprecedented achievement in the sustainable development system through its multiple applications in the fields of marine biology, fish farming, animal and poultry nutrition and pest control. Research in these various fields and achieved positive and moral results, but they are all within the bright side of this technology.

But

There is a side that is very dark and carries with it disasters that can cause serious problems on health aspects at the level of living cells as well as its unlimited and unknown effects on the environmental, social and health aspects. Where it is a hasty trend that must be taken into account and evaluate the extent of its risks and how the behavior and paths of nanoparticles inside living cells, especially since we are dealing with things so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye, and it is necessary to set standards for dealing with their waste safely, as stray nanoparticles and nano devices may form Used an integrated system of non-degradable bonds.

The agricultural sector has witnessed many products based on nanotechnology, such as nano-fertilizers, nano-pesticides, nano-growth stimulators, and many others to develop sustainable agriculture and improve crops. The use of Smart Drug Delivery and nanoparticles for enhancement of fish growth

Health and safety risks of nanomaterials

• The potential toxicity of different types of nanomaterials and the dangers of fire and dust explosion.

• Inhalation exposure some studies on animals have shown lung effects of some nanomaterials such as inflammation, fibrosis and carcinogenesis.

• Levels of exposure that may be acceptable (still under consideration)
• Tracks of nanoparticles in living cells pose a great danger, especially research has not been able to determine their tracks and the extent of their effects on DNA
• Inhalation by common exposure methods to airborne particles in the workplace and the extent of nanoparticle deposition in the respiratory tract by particle shape, size or agglomeration
• Nanoparticles may enter the bloodstream from the lungs and travel to other organs, including the brain.
• Some animal studies indicate that carbon nanotubes and fibers can cause pulmonary effects including inflammation, granulomas and pulmonary fibrosis.
• Some studies in cells or animals have shown carcinogenic or systemic cardiovascular effects from pulmonary exposure.
• Some studies indicated that nanomaterials can penetrate the body through healthy skin. They also showed that particles with a diameter of less than 1 micrometer may penetrate mechanically bent skin samples, and nanoparticles with different physicochemical properties are able to penetrate the healthy skin of pigs.
• Carbon nanotubes can enter cells and cause the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress.
• Nanoparticles may enter the body through wounds, and migrate to the blood and lymph nodes.

• More research is needed in long-term animal studies and in epidemiological studies in the field
• Therefore, I direct my message to the supporters of nanotechnology in the agricultural field, which is directly related to living cells, and to colleagues who are rushing towards this field to urge themselves during their research work to avoid these catastrophic risks.