NANOTECNOLOGÍA: DE LA PROMESA A LA PREOCUPACIÓN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32399/icuap.rdic.2448-5829.2026.35.1720Palabras clave:
Nanotecnología, Ambiente, Salud, TecnologíaResumen
La nanotecnología ha experimentado un crecimiento acelerado en las últimas décadas, consolidándose como un eje estratégico para el desarrollo tecnológico en múltiples áreas del conocimiento. No obstante, al tratarse de una disciplina relativamente reciente, aún persisten incertidumbres significativas respecto a sus posibles efectos a mediano y largo plazo sobre el medio ambiente y la salud humana. En particular, la nanotecnología ambiental, orientada a la remediación de contaminantes en agua, suelo y aire, ha propuesto soluciones altamente innovadoras y eficientes. Sin embargo, la misma naturaleza fisicoquímica que confiere a los nanomateriales propiedades únicas, como su elevada área superficial, reactividad y capacidad de interacción específica, también puede asociarse con riesgos toxicológicos variables, dependientes del tipo de nanopartícula, su composición, tamaño, morfología y condiciones de exposición. Diversos estudios han documentado que ciertos nanomateriales pueden inducir efectos adversos tales como alteraciones genéticas, disrupción endocrina, bioacumulación en cadenas tróficas, liberación o transporte de metales pesados y toxicidad aguda o crónica en organismos vegetales y animales. Asimismo, los procesos de síntesis y funcionalización de estos materiales pueden generar subproductos y residuos potencialmente problemáticos, incluyendo polímeros de baja biodegradabilidad y desechos de sales metálicas. En este contexto, resulta necesario evaluar de manera integral el impacto ambiental asociado a cada etapa del ciclo de vida de las tecnologías basadas en nanomateriales, desde su producción hasta su disposición final. El presente trabajo compendia y analiza la evidencia disponible sobre los principales riesgos ambientales vinculados al desarrollo y aplicación de la nanotecnología.
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