Environmental release of engineered nanomaterials from commercial tiles under standardized abrasion conditions

Abstract

The study presented here focuses on commercial antibacterial tiles whose emissivity of (nano) particles due to abrasion has yet barely been investigated. The tiles have been characterized regarding their surface properties and composition throughout their chain-of-use, i.e. from their state of commercialization until the experimental end-of-service life. In contrast to plane standard tiles, their surfaces form hilly surfaces. In the depressions, titanium dioxide is found at the surface, thus theoretically protected by the hilly areas against abrasion on the tile's surface. Furthermore, a deposition technique has been put in place by producers allowing for coating the before mentioned commercial tiles with titanium dioxide, thus being similar to those commercially available. It consists in depositing titanium dioxide on the surface, latter one allowing fixing the first. This development allows for better understanding the future options for product formulation and thus improvement with respect to particle release. The tests reveal the aerosolization from commercial antibacterial tiles of micronic and submicronic particles in the inhalable region or particles that can subjected to be released in the environment (<10μm). The aersolization of the particles from the coated tiles was found to be significantly higher compared to the non coated tiles.

Nanoparticles in the environment: where do we come from, where do we go to?

“…Calculation models assume that produced NP will be released either to waste streams or directly to environmental compartments, and more realistic approaches account for the delayed release during use due to in-use NP stocks. NP emissions are also controlled by (i) ageing or weathering [ 19 , 23 – 26 ], (ii) the fate of the NP during use [ 20 , 27 , 28 ], and (iii) the waste management system [ 29 , 30 ]. Production volumes, however, may give a good indication of the emission of specific NP.…”

Non-linear release dynamics for a CeO2 nanomaterial embedded in a protective wood stain, due to matrix photo-degradation

“…The release of ENM from a solid nanocomposite can proceed from the leaching of ENMs by a liquid, via desorption from the surface, dissolution, or diffusion inside the matrix (Bossa et al, 2017;Duncan and Pillai, 2015). But it can also arise from the degradation of the solid matrix itself, caused by a mechanical action (Bressot et al, 2017) or (photo)chemical reactions (Duncan, 2015).…”

Toxicokinetics and toxicity of nanoparticles in the course of inhalation exposure

“…Źródła projektowanych NPs w środowisku naturalnym są wszechobecne i trudne do zidentyfikowania, jednak ich emisja może zachodzić na drodze podobnych procesów jak w scenariuszach narażenia zawodowego lub codziennego. Dotyczy zatem uwalniania NPs na poszczególnych etapach produkcji, dystrybucji, eksploatacji i utylizacji nanoproduktów [16,17]. Oszacowano, że do powietrza atmosferycznego dostaje się mniej niż 1,5% globalnej produkcji projektowanych NPs, co stanowi najmniejszy udział w całkowitej emisji tych cząstek do środowiska naturalnego w porównaniu z zanieczyszczeniem gleb i wody [18].…”