Modeling human health characterization factors for indoor nanomaterial emissions in life cycle assessment: a case-study of titanium dioxide

Tsang, Michael; Li, Dingsheng; Garner, Kendra L.; Keller, Arturo A.; Suh, Sangwon; Sonnemann, Guido

doi:10.1039/c7en00251c

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 78 publications

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“…The relevant determinants considered were energy and duration of the process/activity, volume of the facility (personal area, room, industrial facility or surrounding area), dustiness (very high (extremely fine and light powder), high (fine powder), medium (coarse powder), low and very low (extremely coarse powder)), solubility, weight fraction (% purity), moisture level, viscosity, and amount used. The NanoSerpa model was developed based on Michael P. Tsang [ 36 ] and Ganser et al [ 37 ] and adapted to require the minimum user input as possible, as this was one of the biggest concerns for developing the app.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

New Tools to Support the Risk Assessment Process of Nanomaterials in the Insurance Sector

Mollá

Fito-López

Alvaro

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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During the last decade, the use of nanomaterials, due to their multiple utilities, has exponentially increased. Nanomaterials have unique properties such as a larger specific surface area and surface activity, which may result in health and environmental hazards different from those demonstrated by the same materials in bulk form. Besides, due to their small size, they can easily penetrate through the environmental and biological barriers. In terms of exposure potential, the vast majority of studies are focused on workplace areas, where inhalation is the most common route of exposure. The main route of entry into the environment is due to indirect emissions of nanomaterials from industrial settings, as well as uncontrollable releases into the environment during the use, recycling and disposal of nano-enabled products. Accidental spills during production or later transport of nanomaterials and release from wear and tear of materials containing nanomaterials may lead to potential exposure. In this sense, a proper understanding of all significant risks due to the exposure to nanomaterials that might result in a liability claim has been proved to be necessary. In this paper, the utility of an application for smartphones developed for the insurance sector has been validated as a solution for the analysis and evaluation of the emerging risk of the application of nanotechnology in the market. Different exposure scenarios for nanomaterials have been simulated with this application. The results obtained have been compared with real scenarios, corroborating that the use of novel tools can be used by companies that offer risk management in the form of insurance contracts.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

New Tools to Support the Risk Assessment Process of Nanomaterials in the Insurance Sector

Mollá

Fito-López

Alvaro

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…However, the ReCiPe toxicological impact categories were removed and replaced with those from USEtox v2.0. , This was done to address a particular hazard of interest regarding the human health impacts associated with ENM emissions in occupational indoor settings. While current life-cycle impact assessment (LCIA) methods do not currently incorporate nanospecific characterization factors (CF), there have been a couple of such CF published recently. − The CF from Tsang et al was applied in order to estimate the potential impacts from emissions that occur during transferring and handling these particles in postproduction scenarios …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…30−32 The CF from Tsang et al was applied in order to estimate the potential impacts from emissions that occur during transferring and handling these particles in postproduction scenarios. 32 Cumulative energy demands were calculated using the approach from Hischier et al 33 Primary inventory data for the SFFS were collected inhouse at the ICMCB and ISM, while additional foreground data were modeled using stoichiometric calculations based on technical documentation available in the literature. 34 Background (i.e., secondary) inventory data were taken from the Ecoinvent v3.2 allocation database (The Ecoinvent Association, Zurich) with all primary and foreground energy and transportation modeled using average European mixes.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Supercritical Fluid Flow Synthesis to Support Sustainable Production of Engineered Nanomaterials: Case Study of Titanium Dioxide

Tsang¹,

Philippot

Aymonier

et al. 2018

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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Supercritical fluid flow synthesis exploits unique properties of solvents in order to achieve reactions that proceed quickly to produce high-quality nanocrystals. Supercritical fluids are often referred to “green” solvents because they can proceed at moderate temperatures. Therefore, this study sought to compare the supercritical fluid flow synthesis of TiO2 to that of a conventional precipitation method from an environmental and human health perspective. A life-cycle assessment was conducted to determine the impacts of producing 1 kg of dry TiO2 nanoparticles using either the supercritical or precipitation route. While the results suggest that supercritical fluid flow synthesis may indeed be a preferable synthesis route compared with a conventional route such as precipitation, the inherent uncertainty underlying this emerging technology indicates that there are a number of trade-offs in switching from one technology to another. Supercritical fluid flow synthesis was likely a better technology option from a cumulative energy demand and climate change perspective; however, there was less evidence for this from a human health and ecotoxicological perspective, for example. In particular, occupational exposure to emissions of TiO2 nanoparticles could be an issue for this emerging industry if the proper protective controls are not put in place.

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“…The behaviour of engineered nanomaterials in indoor environments is concentration dependent and driven by dynamic mechanisms that existing steady-state LCIA models fail to describe. To evaluate the human health hazards posed by engineered nanomaterials at the manufacturing phase, Tsang et al (2017) have developed a dynamic model as well as exposure scenarios to model different situations of nanomaterial handling in a workplace. To go one step further, these LCIA exposure models could be refined according to users' archetypes based on behaviour-related aspects (working time, preventive measures in the production phase) generated by an ABM.…”

Section: Recent Lca Developments For Which Abm Could Be Relevantmentioning

confidence: 99%

To what extent can agent-based modelling enhance a life cycle assessment? Answers based on a literature review

Micolier

Loubet

Taillandier

et al. 2019

Journal of Cleaner Production

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Life cycle assessment (LCA) has proven its worth in modelling the entire value chain associated with the production of goods and services. However, modelling the consumption system, such as the use phase of a product, remains challenging due to uncertainties in the socioeconomic context. Agent-based models (ABMs) can reduce these uncertainties by improving the consumption system modelling in LCA. So far, no systematic study is available on how ABM can contribute towards a behavior-driven modelling in LCA. This paper aims at filing this gap by reviewing all papers coupling both tools. A focus is carried out on 18 case studies which are analysed according to criteria derived from the four phases of LCA international standards. Criteria specific to agent-based models and the coupling of both tools, such as the type and degree of coupling, have also been selected. The results show that ABMs have been coupled to LCA in order to model foreground systems with too many uncertainties arising from a behaviour-driven use phase, local variabilities, emerging technologies, to explore scenarios and to support consequential modelling. Foreground inventory data have been mainly collected from ABM at the use phase. From this review, we identified the potential benefits from ABM at each LCA phase: (i) scenario exploration, (ii) foreground inventory data collection, (iii) temporal and/or spatial dynamics simulation, and (iv) data interpretation and communication. Besides, methodological guidance is provided on how to choose the type and degree of coupling during the goal and scope phase. Finally, challenging LCA areas of research that could benefit from the agent-based approach to include behaviour-driven dynamics at the inventory and impact assessment phase have been identified.

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Modeling human health characterization factors for indoor nanomaterial emissions in life cycle assessment: a case-study of titanium dioxide

Abstract: A dynamic life cycle impact assessment model demonstrates a non-constant intake fraction of inhaled nano-TiO2 as total emissions changes.

Cited by 10 publications

References 78 publications

New Tools to Support the Risk Assessment Process of Nanomaterials in the Insurance Sector

New Tools to Support the Risk Assessment Process of Nanomaterials in the Insurance Sector

Supercritical Fluid Flow Synthesis to Support Sustainable Production of Engineered Nanomaterials: Case Study of Titanium Dioxide

To what extent can agent-based modelling enhance a life cycle assessment? Answers based on a literature review

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