Environmental Risk Assessment Strategy for Nanomaterials

Abstract

An Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) for nanomaterials (NMs) is outlined in this paper. Contrary to other recent papers on the subject, the main data requirements, models and advancement within each of the four risk assessment domains are described, i.e., in the: (i) materials, (ii) release, fate and exposure, (iii) hazard and (iv) risk characterisation domains. The material, which is obviously the foundation for any risk assessment, should be described according to the legislatively required characterisation data. Characterisation data will also be used at various levels within the ERA, e.g., exposure modelling. The release, fate and exposure data and models cover the input for environmental distribution models in order to identify the potential (PES) and relevant exposure scenarios (RES) and, subsequently, the possible release routes, both with regard to which compartment(s) NMs are distributed in line with the factors determining the fate within environmental compartment. The initial outcome in the risk characterisation will be a generic Predicted Environmental Concentration (PEC), but a refined PEC can be obtained by applying specific exposure models for relevant media. The hazard information covers a variety of representative, relevant and reliable organisms and/or functions, relevant for the RES and enabling a hazard characterisation. The initial outcome will be hazard characterisation in test systems allowing estimating a Predicted No-Effect concentration (PNEC), either based on uncertainty factors or on a NM adapted version of the Species Sensitivity Distributions approach. The risk characterisation will either be based on a deterministic risk ratio approach (i.e., PEC/PNEC) or an overlay of probability distributions, i.e., exposure and hazard distributions, using the nano relevant models.

Single-particle ICP-TOFMS with online microdroplet calibration for the simultaneous quantification of diverse nanoparticles in complex matrices

“…Widespread use of nanoparticles (NPs) and incidental production anthropogenic NPs continues to increase the risk of NP emission into environmental and biological systems. [1][2][3][4][5] Better characterization and quantification of NPs in situ, i.e. in these complex matrices, requires robust and highthroughput measurements.…”

“…A calibration curve using a standard solution of the same analyte as the NPs is also measured to determine a concentration-based sensitivity (S neb,std , counts s −1 per g mL −1 ). Assuming the instrument response function (counts g −1 ) is equal for particles and dissolved analyte, then the sample flux into the plasma (q plasma , mL s −1 ) can be determined as shown in eqn (1). Additionally, if the sample flow rate (q neb , mL s −1 ) into the nebulizer is measured along with standard solutions, then the transport efficiency (η neb ) can be calculated; see eqn (2).…”

Environmentally Sustainable and Ecosafe Polysaccharide-Based Materials for Water Nano-Treatment: An Eco-Design Study

“…Additionally, a typical nanoremediation process entails that ENMs are dispersed in environmental compartments, such as ground or surface waters, which are defined by peculiar levels of ionic strength, dissolved oxygen and dissolved organic matter (DOM) contents, and other physico-chemical parameters. The interactions of ENMs with such complex media can alter significantly both the chemical and physical nature of the “as-manufactured” materials and led to the formation of significantly different “weathered” or “aged” species [ 17 ]. As an example, silver [ 18 , 19 , 20 ] and copper [ 21 ] nanoparticles are converted into the corresponding sulfides species via sulfidation processes, once dispersed in natural waters.…”

“…However, adsorption onto organic or inorganic colloids or coating by polysaccharides or humic/fulvic substances, in some cases can improve steric stabilization of ENMs [ 24 , 25 ], causing them to travel longer distances in the water column leading to an enhanced transport. Such distinct behavior stems from the complex interplay between different water chemistries, such as multivalent cations, natural colloids, and DOM, and ENMs properties, governing their environmental partition, which rebounds on exposure and hazard levels and ultimately ecotoxicity [ 17 , 26 , 27 ]. Therefore, ENMs behavior pose questions regarding their environmental fate and impact after release in the environment, beyond the envisaged benefits in terms of contaminant removal or degradation, with consequent environmental costs [ 28 ].…”

Greener pathway toward the synthesis of lichen‐based ZnO@TiO2@SiO2 and Fe3O4@SiO2 nanocomposites and investigation of their biological activities

“…In nanotechnology, both controlling the hazardous of nanomaterials before entering the environment and also improving the condition of ecosystem caused to introduce the concept of eco-nanotechnology as an important line of the environmentally friendly technologies, (Nasrollahzadeh, Sajadi, & Hatamifar, 2016;Oomen et al, 2015;Scott-Fordsmand et al, 2017;Sun et al, 2015;Vijayaraghavan & Ashokkumar, 2017).…”