Release of Titanium Dioxide from Textiles during Washing

Abstract

Nano-TiO(2) has the highest production of all nanomaterials, and pigment-TiO(2) is a commodity used on the million tons/year scale. Information on the release of TiO(2) from consumer products is therefore an important part of analyzing the potential environmental exposure to TiO(2). For this study, we investigated the release of TiO(2) from six different functional textiles during washing. TiO(2) is used in textiles because of its UV-absorbing properties and as pigment. Analysis of fiber cross sections showed that the TiO(2) was contained in the fiber matrix. The sun-protection textiles had Ultraviolet Protection Factors that were between 58 and 6100 after washing and therefore above the labeled factor of 50+. Five of the textiles (sun-protection clothes) released low amounts of Ti (0.01 to 0.06 wt % of total Ti) in one wash cycle. One textile (with antimicrobial functionality) released much higher amounts of Ti (5 mg/L, corresponding to 3.4 wt % of total Ti in one wash cycle). Size fractionation showed that about equal amounts were released as particles below and above 0.45 μm. After 10 washings, only in two textiles significantly lower Ti contents were measured. Electron microscopy showed that the TiO(2) particles released into washing solution had a roundish appearance with primary particle sizes between 60 and 350 nm that formed small aggregates with up to 20 particles. The results indicate that functional textiles release some TiO(2) particles, but that the amounts are relatively low and mostly not in the nanoparticulate range.

Estrogen-mediated impairment of macrophageal uptake of environmental TiO2particles to explain inflammatory effect of TiO2on airways during pregnancy

“…Moreover, outside of the production aerosol exposure, TiO 2 is present in many food, personal care, and other consumer products; thus, virtually the entire population in the US and other developed countries is exposed to the substance, albeit not in an airborne way (Weir et al, 2012;Windler et al, 2012) but often in the form of suspension (e.g. when released from textiles during washing (Windler et al, 2012)).…”

“…Moreover, outside of the production aerosol exposure, TiO 2 is present in many food, personal care, and other consumer products; thus, virtually the entire population in the US and other developed countries is exposed to the substance, albeit not in an airborne way (Weir et al, 2012;Windler et al, 2012) but often in the form of suspension (e.g. when released from textiles during washing (Windler et al, 2012)). This emphasizes the importance of studying potential deleterious effects of environmental substances we consider inert -more so because not only can such environmental pollutants enhance the risk of disease (Gilmour et al, 2001), but they can become a single cause of it.…”

Release of nanomaterials from solid nanocomposites and consumer exposure assessment – a forward-looking review

“…Windler et al (2012) analyzed emissions of TiO 2 from six different textiles during washing and rinsing. The textiles contained significant amounts of Ti (from 0.2 to 0.9 %), but the presence of Ti could not be directly correlated to the content of TiO 2 ENM because of the lack of data from the manufacturers.…”

Detection, characterization and quantification of inorganic engineered nanomaterials: A review of techniques and methodological approaches for the analysis of complex samples

“…Luo et al [81] explored the application of ESEM to directly characterize the size distribution of a range of The use of electron microscopy for ENMs characterization in different types of samples has been considered in different reviews involving environmental [7,8,83], food [8,20], and biomaterials [71] analysis. In relation with complex samples, electron microscopy has been successfully applied to characterize TiO 2 nanoparticles in sewage sludge and soils amended with sewage sludge [84] or with biosolids [85], or to investigate the presence of ENPs in release studies: Ag NPs from a washing machine effluent [86] and from water-based nano-Ag spray products [87], TiO 2 NPs from textiles [88], or SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 from chemical mechanical planarization process wastewater [89]. SEM and TEM-based studies highlighted the relevance of the detection and characterisation of ENPs in many products of our daily life: Ag in washing solutions from commercial detergents [90], Ag and ZnO in spray products [91], TiO 2 and ZnO in sunscreens [74], metallic NPs in dietary supplement drinks [92], Ag in pears [93], SiO 2 in tomato soup [81] or coffee creamer [55], TiO 2 and ZnO in starch, yam starch, and wheat flour [94], or TiO 2 in foods and consumer product [95].…”