Comparative Human Health Impact Assessment of Engineered Nanomaterials in the Framework of Life Cycle Assessment

Abstract

For safe innovation, knowledge on potential human health impacts is essential. Ideally, these impacts are considered within a larger life-cycle-based context to support sustainable development of new applications and products. A methodological framework that accounts for human health impacts caused by inhalation of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in an indoor air environment has been previously developed. The objectives of this study are as follows: (i) evaluate the feasibility of applying the CF framework for NP exposure in the workplace based on currently available data; and (ii) supplement any resulting knowledge gaps with methods and data from the life cycle approach and human risk assessment (LICARA) project to develop a modified case-specific version of the framework that will enable near-term inclusion of NP human health impacts in life cycle assessment (LCA) using a case study involving nanoscale titanium dioxide (nanoTiO ). The intent is to enhance typical LCA with elements of regulatory risk assessment, including its more detailed measure of uncertainty. The proof-of-principle demonstration of the framework highlighted the lack of available data for both the workplace emissions and human health effects of ENMs that is needed to calculate generalizable characterization factors using common human health impact assessment practices in LCA. The alternative approach of using intake fractions derived from workplace air concentration measurements and effect factors based on best-available toxicity data supported the current case-by-case approach for assessing the human health life cycle impacts of ENMs. Ultimately, the proposed framework and calculations demonstrate the potential utility of integrating elements of risk assessment with LCA for ENMs once the data are available.

Nanoparticles: An Experimental Study of Zinc Nanoparticles Toxicity on Marine Crustaceans. General Overview on the Health Implications in Humans

“…The overall effects of occupational exposure to engineered NPs on humans and environment have not yet been well-identified (25,30,32,43,52,78). For many NPs, to date, data on doseresponse, exposure assessment and risk characterization, are insufficient to define risk management (1,6,7,11,49,75).…”

Approach toward In Vitro-Based Human Toxicity Effect Factors for the Life Cycle Impact Assessment of Inhaled Low-Solubility Particles

“…As a comparison, EFs were calculated from the collected animal data: Calculate the median BMD 20 from animal data via nonparametric bootstrapping; Multiply the median animal BMD 20 by the animal alveolar surface area to find the total retained dose; Extrapolate to the retained dose in human using the ratio between the human alveoli surface and the animal alveoli surface, as in Fransman et al After obtaining the human BMD 20 as retained dose, the EF was calculated following steps 3 to 8 from the previous section.…”

“…Extrapolate to the retained dose in human using the ratio between the human alveoli surface and the animal alveoli surface, as in Fransman et al…”

In vitro-based human toxicity effect factors: challenges and opportunities for nanomaterial impact assessment

“…While not yet included in such a strategy, in vitro data could play an important role in LCIA as a basis of comparison of the potency of nanomaterials with a similar mode of toxicity action. 43 Building on the work from Walser et al, 43 Fransman et al 44 defined a step-by-step procedure to calculate EFs for inhaled nanomaterials. For the determination of ED 50 , the dose should be expressed in the most relevant dose metric, based on the recognition of the impact that surface area and particle number may have on toxicity.…”