Shoul scientis always think of potential illicit use of new discoveries and developments? Are new generatios of chemists aware of such intentional misuse? The talk aims at discussing together how an exper should always think of a safe, secure and ethicalli sound use of nanosciences and nanotecnologies. These disciplins are key resources for the humankind, providing innovative tools and devices also for the detection, protection and decontamination from chemical,biologiocal,radionolical or nuclear (CBRN) hazardous materials. At the same time,they may lead to unprecedented weapons and uncontrolled warfare agents,through the synthesis of novel and more effective texic agents or by improving the production capability of intentionally toxic systems.Regarding the protection from CBRN hazardous agents,the attention of the literature moved, in last years, from the traditional chemical abatement(requiring huge amounts of solvent and/or reagents) to the catalytic decontamination, based on heterogeneous (solid-liquid or solid-vapour) nanostructured catalysts, which are able to convert highly toxic species into non-toxic secondary products under ambient conditions. Suchcatalityc systems can workas reactive sorbent materials, as oxidation promoters or as photocatalysts activatedby sunlight, finding various “smart”applications, suchas self-decontaminating textiles, skin active-protection creams or detoxifying foams. Risks and threats to thehuman health linked to the use of nanosystems will be highlighted too. Some paradigmatic cases will be treated,such as the ubiquitous use of nanosized inorganic oxides in everyday use product,that is attracting an ever-growing attention in terms of health concerns, or the long-term noxious effects nanoparticle debris recorded in conflict areas around the world, where highly energetic depleted uranium-based weaponry was used.
