Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
• Direct impacts of nanoparticles on both human health and ecosystems
need to be addressed. In this respect, knowledge and modeling of fine
and ultrafine particles is a good starting basis to model the exposure.
• The assessment method needs to be consistent between impacts
of classic chemicals and technologies and the direct impacts of
nanoparticles.
TABLE 11.4
Identification of Life Cycle Impacts and Benefits of a Nanosilver T-shirt
Emissions and
Impacts/Benefits
Directly due to
Nanosilver Particles
Indirect Emissions,
Risks and Impacts:
Nano T-shirt vs.
Conventional T-shirt
Key Factors
Raw material
extraction
-
- Electricity
production
emissions
- Silver extraction
and mining
Electricity use per
washing cycle
Manufacturing
Direct intake of silver
nanoparticles by
workers during
nanosilver and
T-shirt
manufacturing
- Washing powder
manufacturing
- Nanosilver
production
energy and
chemicals
- Nanomaterial
manufacturing
process emissions
- Indoors exposure of
workers
- Pharmacokinetics
and bioeffects of
nanoparticle
Use phase
- Dermal uptake of
silver
nanoparticle
through skin
contact during
use
- Potential
reduction in
bacterial risks for
consumer
(unlikely to be
dominant)
- Direct emissions
of nanosilver to
wastewater
treatment plant
and surface water
Indirect impacts
linked to decrease in
number of washing
cycle per functional
unit:
- Reduction in
powder and
washing and
drying electricity
due to
antibacterial effect
- Subsequent
reduction in
impacts of
detergents
- Reduction in
washing frequency
due to antibacterial
effect (can use the
T-shirt one more
day without odors
before washing =
reuse!)
- Fraction of
nanosilver released
to the environment
- Fate and
ecotoxicological
effects of nanosilver
and of detergents in
the environment
Disposal and
recycling
Direct releases during
T-shirt end-of-life
(e.g., incinerator or
landfill) or when
recycling
Indirect change in
wastewater treated
per functional unit
- Fraction of
nanosilver released
to environmental
media during
wastewater
treatment
