A nanoparticle commonly used in industry could have a damaging effect on plant life, according to a report by Daniel J. Watts, executive director of the York Center for Environmental Engineering and Science and Panasonic Chair in Sustainability at NJIT. "Before this study, there was an assumption that nanoparticles had no effect on plants,” said Watts. “This study makes the observation that seedlings can interact with nanoparticles such as alumina, which can have a harmful effect on seedlings and perhaps stunt the growth of plants.“ >>