Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
11
Life Cycle Risks and Impacts
of Nanotech
nologies
Olivier Jolliet, Ralph K. Rosenbaum, and Alexis Laurent
CONTENTS
11.1 Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment ................................................... 214
11.1.1 LCA and Other Environmental Tools ......................................... 214
11.1.2 Different Steps of LCA .................................................................. 215
11.1.2.1 Goal and Scope Definition ............................................. 216
11.1.2.2 Inventory of Extractions and Emissions ...................... 217
11.1.2.3 Life Cycle Impact Assessment ....................................... 218
11.1.2.4 Interpretation and Uncertainty ..................................... 219
11.1.3 A Short LCA Example ................................................................... 220
11.2 Application of LCA to Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies ........... 222
11.2.1 Adaptation of LCA Approaches to Nano-Based Products ...... 222
11.2.2 Evolution of LCA Nano-Studies and Development of
Nanotechnologies: A Parallel? ..................................................... 222
11.2.3 Review of LCA Applied to Nanomaterials and
Nanotechnologies .......................................................................... 225
11.2.4 Limitations in Application of LCA in Studies ........................... 231
11.2.4.1 Goal and Scope of Studies ............................................. 231
11.2.4.2 Inventory of Emissions ................................................... 235
11.2.4.3 Impact Assessment ......................................................... 235
11.2.4.4 Interpretation ................................................................... 237
11.2.5 Gaps and Further Needs ............................................................... 237
11.3 Recommendations and Strategies for Improving Nano-Specific
LCAs ............................................................................................................ 237
11.3.1 Nano-Specificities for Scope and Goal Definition .................... 237
11.3.1.1 Identification of LCA Scope and of Main Risk of
Nanomaterials ................................................................. 237
11.3.1.2 Nano-Specificities of LCA Goal Definition ................. 241
11.3.2 Nano-Specificities for Life Cycle Inventory ............................... 241
11.3.2.1 Quantification of LC emissions of Nanoparticles:
A Status............................................................................. 242
11.3.2.2 Inventory for Nanoproduct-Specific Processes and
Potential Releases ............................................................ 245
213
