Nano-pollutants: Emerging Challenges and Hazardous Impacts of Nano-enabled Products on Soil Quality and Human Health

Nanoparticle-based products, commonly termed nanoproducts, often release by-products in the nanoscale range (1–100 nm), collectively known as nano-pollutants. These emerging contaminants pose significant risks to soil quality, crop productivity, groundwater purity, and human health. Despite their widespread applications, adequate biosafety regulations and management frameworks to mitigate their adverse impacts remain limited. Understanding the behavior, fate, and toxicity of nano-pollutants has recently gained scientific attention, particularly regarding engineered nanoparticles and their interactions with soil and biological systems. This chapter provides an integrated overview of the occurrence, transformation, and ecological implications of nano-pollutants, emphasizing their effects on plants, soil ecosystems, and human health, while underscoring the urgent need for standardized risk assessment protocols and sustainable strategies to ensure environmental and public safety.