Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 11.3
Identification of Life Cycle Impacts and Benefits Linked to Nanomaterial
Manufacturing and Use, Compared with Traditional Products
Emissions and
Impacts/Benefits
Directly due to
Nanoparticles
Indirect Emissions,
Risks and Impacts:
Nano vs.
Conventional
Key Factors
Raw material
extraction
-
Impacts linked to
energy preparation/
combustion, criteria
pollutant emissions
Energy and material
use for a given
function and
application
Manufacturing
Potentially important
for workers' health
Emission to
ecosystems
Impacts and risks
linked to chemical
exposure in
manufacturing/
accidental rates
- Nanomaterial
manufacturing
process emissions
- Indoors exposure of
workers
- Pharmacokinetics
and bioeffects of
nanoparticle
Use phase
Dominant for medical
applications and in
case of direct releases
in exposed
environment
Direct benefits in
terms of human
health by improved
diagnostic/treatment
Impacts and risks
linked to other
chemical releases/
combustion/medical
interventions
- Releases indoors
and in the
environment
during use phase
- Pharmacokinetics
and biological
effects
- Surface desorption
of nanoparticles
Disposal and
Material
recycling
Exposure of overall
population and
ecotoxicological risks
due to nanomaterial
releases in the
environment
Exposure to
conventional
chemical and drugs
in the disposal phase
Long-range transport of
nanoparticles,
environmental fate,
and chemical
properties
Feasibility to collect and
recycle
manufacturing) of nanotechnologies compared with (iii) those of conven-
tional technologies. For each case, the key factors of influence are identified.
Table 11.3 shows that both direct and indirect effects of nanoparticles need
to be considered. Compared with classic application, the following issues are
expected to be nanospecific, of high relevance, and need to be addressed in
priority:
• The approach should enable the assessment of direct exposure of
both workers and general population exposure.
• Nanoparticle emissions during the manufacturing and use phases,
indoors or through direct dermal contact, should be considered in a
specific way.
