Despite the value that can be given,
the widespread use of building materials comes with potential environmental and health risks when these materials are not disposed of properly.
"The advantages of using nanomaterials in construction are enormous," "When you consider that 41 percent of all energy used in the U.S. is consumed by commercial and residential buildings, the potential benefits of energy saving materials are just vast."
It follows that nanomaterials
probably have a greater impact in the construction industry than in any other sector of the economy , after the biomedical and electronics applications.
cite dozens of potential applications. For example, nanomaterials can strengthen the steel and concrete, prevent soil from sticking to the windows, "kill" bacteria on the walls of hospitals, fire resistant materials, etc.
addition to the many benefits to the construction industry, also identified potential health effects and environmental effects.
In some cases, properties that make nanomaterials useful
can cause potential problems if the materials are not properly managed. For example, titanium dioxide particles exposed to UV light can generate molecules called "
species reactive oxygen species "that prevent the formation of bacterial films on the windows or solar panels.
This same property may jeopardize the beneficial bacteria in the environment .
