Nano-pesticides: A great challenge for biodiversity? The need for a broader perspective

• Published in: Nano today 2020-02, Vol.30, p.100808, Article 100808
• Main Authors: Agathokleous, Evgenios, Feng, ZhaoZhong, Iavicoli, Ivo, Calabrese, Edward J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Dose-response relationship; Ecological risk assessment; Hormesis; Nanomaterials; Nanopesticides
• ISSN: 1748-0132; 1878-044X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2019.100808

[Display omitted] •Nanopesticides are developed for agricultural applications.•Concerns were raised that the application of nanopesticides is a challenge for biodiversity.•These concerns were raised based on research with extremely high, environmentally unrealistic, concentrations.•We believe nanopesticides may positively affect biodiversity at low environmentally-realistic concentrations.•Such positive effects may pose risks in the environment, urging for a broader perspective. The need to protect plants against environmental challenges, abiotic and biotic, leads to the application of nanomaterials and pesticides in the environment. Recently, nanopesticides have been developed to replace classic pesticides. Their wide application in the agricultural practice leads to deposition of nanomaterials (and potential residuals) in the natural environment. The use of nanopesticides is a great challenge for biodiversity; however, not as originally envisioned. We discuss how nanopesticides may pose risks for biodiversity at far lower concentrations/doses than currently thought.