In a conventional sewage works, nanoparticles should really be bound in the sludge and should not represent a major problem in the aqueous effluent. This is not true, however, as shown by a new study of the ceramic model material cerium dioxide. An astonishing amount was able to leave an experimental sewage works and thus could possibly enter bodies of water. The industry needs large amounts of cerium dioxide (CeO2) to grind computer components and mobile phone camera lenses. (source: ethlife.ethz.ch)
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