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Life-cycle assessment framework for indoor emissions of synthetic nanoparticles

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Abstract

Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a well-established method to evaluate impacts of chemicals on the environment and human health along the lifespan of products. However, the increasingly produced and applied nanomaterials (defined as one dimension <100 nm) show particular characteristics which are different from conventional chemicals or larger particles. As a consequence, LCA does not provide sufficient guidance on how to deal with synthetic nanomaterials, neither in the exposure, nor in the effect assessment. This is particularly true for the workplace, where significant exposure can be expected via the lung, the route of major concern. Therefore, we developed a concise method which allows the inclusion of indoor nanoparticle exposure into LCA. New nanospecific properties are included along the LCA stages with a particular focus on the workplace environment. We built upon existing LCA methods and nanoparticle fate and exposure studies. The impact assessment requires new approaches for nanoparticles, such as guidance on relevant endpoints, nanospecific properties that are relevant for the toxicity, and guidance on the chemical identity of nanomaterials, i.e., categorization and distinction of different forms of nanomaterials. We present a framework which goes beyond traditional approaches of LCA and includes nanospecific fate parameters in the indoor exposure assessment as well as guidance on the development of effect and characterization factors for inhaled nanoparticles. Specifically, the indoor one-box model is amended with new particle-specific parameters developed in the exposure literature. A concentration conversion and parameter estimation tool are presented. Finally, the modification of the traditional intake fraction to capture size-specific deposition and retention rate are discussed along with a strategy for a more robust effect assessment. The paper is a further step toward a fair comparison between conventional and nano-enabled products by integrating occupational exposure to synthetic nanomaterials into LCA.

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Acknowledgments

The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreements no 263289 (LICARA) and no 227078 (Prosuite). We thank George Moore, LeAnna Seward, and Esther Zondervan-van den Beuken for their contributions. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency through its Office of Research and Development contributed to the research described here. It has not been subjected to full Agency review and therefore does not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency, and no official endorsement should be inferred.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland

    Tobias Walser

  2. Federal Office of Public Health, 3003, Berne, Switzerland

    Tobias Walser

  3. National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA

    David Meyer

  4. TNO, P.O. Box 360, 3700 AJ, Zeist, The Netherlands

    Wouter Fransman, Harrie Buist, Eelco Kuijpers & Derk Brouwer

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  1. Tobias Walser
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Correspondence to Tobias Walser.

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Walser, T., Meyer, D., Fransman, W. et al. Life-cycle assessment framework for indoor emissions of synthetic nanoparticles. J Nanopart Res 17, 245 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-015-3053-y

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