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Development of sustainable solutions for nanotechnology-based products based on hazard characterization and LCA

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Nano-Material Safety Data Sheets

Nanomaterials are ubiquitous, changing the face of consumer products from electronics to automobiles. Scientists have now begun the process of classifying them in standardised ways for safety and hazard analysis.

Industrial Technologies icon Industrial Technologies

The use of nanomaterials has outpaced the realistic analysis of risks associated with their release into the environment during production, use and disposal. Now the EU-funded project NANOSUSTAIN has answered critical questions regarding the safety of three key engineered nanomaterials (ENs) and a naturally derived nanomaterial. These refer to titanium oxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as well as nanocellulose, a naturally-derived nanomaterial with growing application. Intensive research resulted in the creation of two extensive databases on materials and related literature as well as an online framework for collection, analysis and evaluation. Standard Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) were prepared for the four nanomaterials as were standardised protocols for laboratory characterisation to ensure valid comparison of data. Nanomaterials' behaviour is closely related to their physicochemical form and surface properties, not composition or concentration alone. This means that a given EN composition is not in and of itself universally hazardous. In the current study, any human toxicity associated with free nanoparticles of all compositions except nano-ZnO was masked or completely eliminated through matrix embedment. Only nano-ZnO showed some eco-toxicity. Besides studying safe treatment of end-of-life nanomaterials, researchers conducted life cycle analyses of four common products made from the selected nanomaterials. Both benefits and disadvantages were identified leading to formulation of guidelines for careful design and enhanced recyclability. Incorporating NANOSUSTAIN results will help industrial partners reduce risks to people and the environment as well as reduce materials and energy consumption. Implementation of standards and continued creation of MSDSs for novel nanomaterials should positively impact new material and product development and safety.

Keywords

Nanomaterials, safety, hazard analyses, engineered, Material Safety Data Sheets, standardised protocols, toxicity, life cycle analyses, recycling and disposal

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