Ready or not, here it comes. In the next 20 years, nanotechnology will touch the life of nearly every person on the planet. The potential benefits are mind boggling and brain enhancing. But like many of the great advancements in earth's history, it is not without risk Here are some of the risks posed to society by nanotechnology.

Real Risk: Nanopollutants
When: Now
Nanopollutants are particles small enough to enter your lungs or be absorbed by your skin. Nanopollutants can be natural or man- made. Nanoparticles are used in some of the products found on shelves today, like anti-aging cosmetics and sunscreen. The highest risk is to the workers in nano-technology research and manufacturing processes.

Potential Risk: Privacy Invasion
When: 5 to 15 years
Virtually undetectable surveillance devices could dramatically increase spying on governments, corporations and private citizens.

Potential Risk: Economic Upheaval
When: 10 to 20 years
Molecular manufacturing is the assembly of products one molecule at a time. It could make the same products you see today, but far more precisely and at a very low cost. It is unclear whether this would bring boom or bust to the global economy.

Potential Risk: Nanotech weapons
When: 10 to 20 years
Untraceable weapons made with nanotechnology could be smaller than an insect with the intelligence of a supercomputer. Possible nano and bio technology arms race.

Far-Fetched Risk: Gray Goo
When: 30+ years
Free range, self-replicating robots that consume all living matter. However unlikely, experts say this scenario is theoretically possible, but not for some time.

We have just scratched the surface. There are many areas of nanotechnology science that hold potential dangers to society. Bio-engineering and artificial intelligence for example, have their own set of risks.

As we enter an era of unprecedented understanding, it is important that society takes a proactive role in the responsible development of nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology Risk FAQ

Do buckyballs occur naturally?
Yes, particularly when a combustion reaction occurs. For example: burning a candle, a volcanic eruption, or a forest fire.

How do nanomaterials travel in the environment?
They move within water and air (like many other contaminants). Scientists at Purdue University are in the midst of studying exactly how they move and what harm they might do to the environment. 

Types of Nanomaterials

• Carbon Nanotubes
• Fullerenes and Buckyballs
• Dendrimers
• Fine and Ultrafine Particulates in Air Pollution
• Quantum Dots and Nanocrystals
• Titanium Dioxide Nano-sized Particles
• Silver Nano-sized Particles
• Other Nano-sized Particles

Source: Nanotechnology Risk Resources - University of Wisconsin - Madison