A Desktop Evaluation of the Potential Impact of Nanotechnology Applications in the Field of Environmental Health in a Developing Country

Levani Naidoo^1, and Emilie Joy Kistnasamy¹

¹Programme: Environmental Health, Department of Community Health Studies, Durban University of Technology, Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Cite this paper

Levani Naidoo and Emilie Joy Kistnasamy. A Desktop Evaluation of the Potential Impact of Nanotechnology Applications in the Field of Environmental Health in a Developing Country. American Journal of Public Health Research. 2015; 3(5):182-186. doi: 10.12691/AJPHR-3-5-1

Abstract

Nanotechnology is the latest addition to enhancing lifestyles of the human population. It also has an impact on the core parts that are vital to the well-being of humanity and its’ sustainability. Nanotechnology has been researched and is implemented in a number of countries at a commercialized level. However, in South Africa, nanotechnology is still being explored at grassroots with a few private industries implementing it. Based on research, the public health sector is expected to benefit the most from the application of nanotechnology. An environmental health practitioner plays a key role in ensuring the health and sustainability of the human population. The purpose of this desktop study is to generally explore the uses of nanotechnology in the Public Health sector with specificity to food, health and water remediation in the context of environmental health in South Africa and evaluate the possible impacts nanotechnology will have in the South African society. Proposed recommendations to be considered on how to address the use of nanotechnology in the current state of South Africa are made along with identifying the gaps in research in nanotechnology pertaining to South Africa.

Keywords

nanotechnology, health, food safety, water remediation, primary health care, South Africa

Copyright

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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