Nanotechnology's foray into agriculture with nano-enabled pesticides promises enhanced crop protection with minimal environmental impact, but raises significant environmental and health concerns. Martina G. Vijver and Tom Nederstigt write for The Conversation. Key quote:Many of the properties that improve the performance of nano-enabled pesticides in pest control may equally exacerbate their impacts on organisms other than the pests being targeted. — Martina G. Vijver and Tom Nederstigt, environmental scientistsWhy this matters:The shift toward nano-enabled pesticides in agriculture presents a precarious balancing act between striving for sustainability and safeguarding against unforeseen environmental and health risks. The authors argue for rigorous regulatory scrutiny to navigate the complex implications of integrating nanotechnology into essential sectors like agriculture.
