3. Environmental impact

Predictions point to an increase in the production and use of CNT in the years ahead . At the same time, their release into the environment is likely to increase accordingly. Although the available data are fragmentary, research in nano-ecotoxicology is striving to assess the environmental risks associated with the presence of CNT in the natural environment, in order to improve risk assessment. It is also essential to identify the physico-chemical parameters of CNT that could reduce their toxicity, so that we can move towards a "safer by design" approach to CNT synthesis.