The Life Cycle of Engineered Nanoparticles

Abstract

The first years in the twenty-first century have meant the inclusion of nanotechnology in most industrial sectors, from very specific sensors to construction materials. The increasing use of nanomaterials in consumer products has raised concerns about their potential risks for workers, consumers and the environment. In a comprehensive risk assessment or life cycle assessment, a life cycle schema is the starting point necessary to build up the exposure scenarios and study the processes and mechanisms driving to safety concerns. This book chapter describes the processes that usually occur at all the stages of the life cycle of the nano-enabled product, from the nanomaterial synthesis to the end-of-life of the products. Furthermore, release studies reported in literature related to these processes are briefly discussed.

Harmonizing across environmental nanomaterial testing media for increased comparability of nanomaterial datasets

“…A number of projects throughout the EU and US currently focus on NMs within their product lifecycles. 162,163 3.5.2. Recommended media and parameters 35 The harmonization of the product matrix characterization poses challenges that are different to those encountered for environmental media, due to enormous variability in product types and phases.…”

Irrigation Water Quality—A Contemporary Perspective

“…Nanoparticles are used in a wide variety of contemporary products, ranging from electronics and cosmetics to processed food. This proliferation in use of nanoparticles has paved their way to increasing occurrence in water sources [203,204]. Nanotechnology is also used widely for water treatment for both groundwater and surface water sources [205,206], but its repercussions are still not well understood [207].…”

Antimicrobial engineered nanoparticles in the built cultural heritage context and their ecotoxicological impact on animals and plants: a brief review

“…Ferrari et al [35] carrying out a life cycle assessment of TiO 2 NPs used in the protection of cultural heritage, determined, with the limited information available at that time, that the most important environmental damage was related to the production and application of TiO 2 NPs sprays to the surface of the stone, with a major impact factor being the energy-intensive method of spray application; they stated that this could readily be reduced by using manual application. More recently, González-Gálvez et al [36] reviewed the processes that occur throughout the life cycle of nano-products, including release studies.…”