Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

With the increased industrialization and change in human life style, there has been remarkable increase in the pollution level in air, soil and water. Poisonous gases released in the environment from the vehicles and hazardous chemicals disposed from industries are serious threats to mankind. Parallel to this attempt are being made to control the pollution so that the pollutants may remain upto certain permissible level. In such scenario, advancements in technology play a crucial role to control the pollutants beyond the permissible limit. In the last few decades Nanotechnology is an emerging branch which has diversified applications in human life. Nanoparticles are the particulate materials of less than 100nm and high surface area, thus showing higher reactivity, better electrical conductivity and hardness. These properties render them useful for a wide variety of applications, including control of environmental pollution. But in the recent years, the new problem of ‘Nanopollution’ has emerged which poses risks for the safety of living organisms as they may remain suspended in the air for a long time, may accumulate in the environment or maybe even absorbed in the body. This review discusses the role of nanotechnology in controlling the pollution, purifying the air, water and soil as well as safe disposal of hazardous waste materials.