Abstract
Application of nanomaterials in products has led to an increase in number of nanoproducts introduced to the consumer market. However, along with new and improved products, there is a concern about the potential life cycle environmental impacts. Life cycle assessment is able to include a wide range of environmental impacts but, due to data limitations, it is commonly applied with focus on the cradle-to-gate part of the nanoproducts life cycle, neglecting use and disposal of the products. These studies conclude that nanomaterials are more energy demanding and have an inferior environmental profile than conventionally used materials, but functional units of these comparisons need to consider the use stage benefits attained through nanomaterials. A particular assessment challenge is the lack of understanding of the toxicological mechanisms related to potential release, fate and effects of nanomaterials when penetrating into living organisms. This is especially relevant for the freshwater compartment, as it is a common recipient.
References
Aitken, R.A., Bassan, A., Friedrichs, S., et al.: Specific Advice on Exposure Assessment and Hazard/Risk Characterisation for Nanomaterials Under REACH (RIP-oN 3). Final Project Report, RNC/RIP-oN3/FPR/1/FINAL. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/nanotech/pdf/report_ripon3.pdf (2011). Accessed 9 Nov 2011
Babaizadeh, H., Hassan, M.: Life cycle assessment of nano-sized titanium dioxide coating on residential windows. Constr. Build. Mater. 40(March), 314–321 (2012)
Batley, E.G., McLaughlin, J.M.: Fate of Manufactured Nanomaterials in the Australian Environment. CSIRO Niche Manufacturing Flagship Report. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/371475a0-2195-496d-91b2-0a33f9342a6d/files/manufactured-nanomaterials.pdf (2010). Accessed 5 Oct 2013
Bauer, C., Burchgeister, J., Hischier, R., Poanietz, W.R., Schebek, L., Warsen, J.: Towards a framework for life cycle thinking in the assessment of nanotechnology. J. Clean. Prod. 16(8–9), 910–926 (2008)
Brant, J., Lecoanet, H., Wiesner, M.: Aggregation and deposition characteristics of fullerene nanoparticles in aqueous systems. J. Nanopart. Res. 7(4–5), 545–553 (2005)
Buzea, C., Blandino, P. II, Robbie, K.: Nanomaterials and Nanoparticles: Sources and Toxicity. Department of Physics, Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit & Department of Physiology, Queens University at Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada (2007)
Durucan, S., Korre, A., Munoz-Melendez, G.: Mining life cycle modelling: a cradle-to-gate approach to environmental management in the industry. J. Clean. Prod. 14(12–13), 1057–1070 (2006)
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment. http://guidance.echa.europa.eu/docs/guidance_document/information_requirements_en.htm?time=1289468158 (2010). Accessed 9 Nov 2011
European Communities (2007) Corrigendum to Regulation (EC) No1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC (OJ L 396, 30.12.2006). Off. J. Eur. Union. L136:3–280
Farré, M., Sanchís, J., Barceló, D.: The fate and the behavior of nanomaterials in the environment, analysis and assessment of the occurrence. TrAC Anal. Chem. 30(3), 517–527 (2011)
Franklin, N.M., Rogers, N.J., Apte, S.C., Batley, G.E., Gadd, G.E., Casey, P.S.: Comparative toxicity of nanoparticulate ZnO, Bulk ZnO, and ZnCl2 to a freshwater microalga (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata): the importance of particle solubility. Environ. Sci. Technol. 41(24), 8484–8490 (2007)
Geranio, L., Heuberger, M., Nowack, M.: The behaviour of silver nanotextiles during washing. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 43(21), 8113–8118 (2009)
Grieger, K.D., Laurent, A., Miseljic, M., Christensen, F., Baun, A., Olsen, S.I.: Analysis of current research addressing complementary use of life-cycle assessment and risk assessment for engineered nanomaterials: Have lessons been learned from previous experience with chemicals? J. Nanopart. Res. 14, 958 (2012)
Grubb, F.G., Bakshi, R.B.: Life cycle of titanium dioxide nanoparticle production. J. Ind. Ecol. 15(1), 81–95 (2010)
Gutowski, T.G., Liow, J.Y.H., Sekulic, D.P.: Minimum energy requirements for the manufacturing of carbon nanotubes. In: 2010 IEEE International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology (ISSST), vol. 1(6), pp. 17–19 (2010)
Hankin, S.M., Peters, S.A.K., Poland, C.A., et al.: Specific Advice on Fulfilling Information Requirements for Nanomaterials Under REACH (RIP-No. 2). Final Project Report, RNC/RIP-oN2/FPR/1/FINAL. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/nanotech/pdf/report_ripon2.pdf. Accessed 9 Nov 2011
Hansen, S.F.: Regulation and risk assessment of nanomaterials—too little, too late? Ph.D. Thesis. Department of Environmental Engineering. Technical University of Denmark (2009)
Healy, M.: Environmental and economic comparison of single-wall carbon nanotube production alternatives. Master’s thesis. Northeastern University, Boston. United States of America (2006)
Healy, M.L., Dahlben, L.J., Isaacs, J.A.: Environmental assessment of single-walled carbon nanotube processes. J. Ind. Ecol. 12(3), 376–393 (2008)
Heinlaan, M., Ivask, A., Blinova, I., Dubourguier, H.C., Kahru, A.: Toxicity of nanosized and bulk ZnO, CuO and TiO2 to bacteria Vibrio fischeri and crustaceans Daphnia magna and Thamnocephalus platyurus. Chemosphere 71(7), 1308–1316 (2008)
Hischier, R., Walser, T.: Life cycle assessment of engineered nanomaterials: state of the art and strategies to overcome existing gaps. Sci. Total Environ. 425(15), 271–282 (2012)
Hussain, S.M., Braydich-Stolle, L.K., Schrand, A.M., Murdock, R.C., Yu, K.O., Mattie, D.M., Schlager, J.J., Terrones, M.: Toxicity evaluation for safe use of nanomaterials: recent achievements and technical challenges. Adv. Mater. 21(16), 1549–1559 (2009)
Hwang, C.-L., Ting, J., Chiang, J.-S., Chuang, C.: Process of direct growth of carbon nanotubes on a substrate at low temperature. U.S. Patent 6,855,376, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Chutung (Taiwan). http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6855376.html (2005). Accessed 20 Nov 2012
Illés, E., Tombácz, E.: The effect of humic acid adsorption pH-dependent surface charging and aggregation of magnetite nanoparticles. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 295(1), 115–123 (2006)
Isaacs, A.J., Tanwani, A., Healy, L.M.: Environmental assessment of SWNT production. In: Proceedings of the 2006 IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment, pp. 38–41. ISEE (2006)
ISO: Environmental management—life cycle assessment—principles and framework (ISO 14040). ISO, The International Organization for Standardization, Geneva (2006)
ISO: Technical Specifications ISO/TS 27687:2008 (E): Nanotechnologies—Terminology and Definitions for Nano-objects–Nanoparticle, Nanofibre and Nanoplate. ISO, The International Organization for Standardization, Geneva (2008)
Jolliet, O., Rosenbaum, R.K., Laurent, A.: Life cycle risks and impacts of nanotechnologies. In: Malsch, I., Edmond, C. (eds.) Nanotechnology and Human Health, pp. 213–277. Taylor & Francis, London (2013)
Jones, C.F., Grainger, D.W.: In vitro assessments of nanomaterial toxicity. Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 61(6), 438–456 (2009)
Joshi, S.: Can nanotechnology improve the sustainability of biobased products? J. Ind. Ecol. 12(3), 474–489 (2008)
Kashiwada, S.: Distribution of nanoparticles in the see-through medeka (Oryzias latipes). Environ. Health Perspect. 114(11), 1697–1702 (2006)
Khanna, V., Bakshi, B.R., Lee, L.J.: Life cycle energy analysis and environmental life cycle assessment of carbon nanofibers production. In: Proceedings of the 2007 IEEE International Symposium on Electronics & the Environment, 7–10 May 2007, pp. 128–133 (2007)
Khanna, V., Bakshi, B.R., Lee, L.J.: Assessing life cycle environmental implications of polymer nanocomposites. In: Proceedings of the 2008 IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment, pp. 1–6. IEEE Computer Society, Washington, DC, USA (2008)
Klaine, S.J., Alvarez, P.J.J., Batley, G.E., Fernandes, T.F., Handy, R.D., Lyon, D.Y., Mahendra, S., McLaughlin, M.J., Lead, J.R.: Nanomaterials in the environment: behavior, fate, bioavailability, and effects. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 27(9), 1825–1851 (2008)
Köhler, R.A., Som, C., Helland, A., Gottshalk, F.: Studying the potential release of carbon nanotubes throughout the application life cycle. J. Clean. Prod. 16(8–9), 927–937 (2008)
Künninger, T., Fischer, A., Gerecke, A., Heeb, M., Kunz, P., Ulrich, A., Vonbank, R.: Release of Conventional and Nano-Sized Biocides from Coated Wooden Façades during Weathering: Consequences for Functionality and Aquatic Environment Proceedings of the International Convention of Society of Wood Science and Technology and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe—Timber Committee October 11–14, 2010, Geneva, Switzerland (2010)
Kushnir, D., Sandén, B.A.: Energy requirements of carbon nanoparticle production. J. Ind. Ecol. 12(3), 360–375 (2008)
Lloyd, M.S., Lave, B.L.: Life cycle economic and environmental implications of using nanocomposites in automobiles. Environ. Sci. Technol. 37(15), 3458–3466 (2003)
Lloyd, M.S., Lave, B.L., Matthews, H.S.: Life cycle benefits of using nanotechnology to stabilize platinum-group metal particles in automotive catalysts. Environ. Sci. Technol. 39(5), 1384–1392 (2005)
Lowry, G.V., Casman, E.A.: Nanomaterial transport, transformation, and fate in the environment. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series. Nanomaterials: Risks and Benefits, pp. 125–137 (2009)
Lowry, G.V., Gregory, K.B., Apte, S.C., Lead, J.R.: Transformations of nanomaterials in the environment. Environ. Sci. Technol. 46(13), 6893–6899 (2012)
Manda, B.M., Blok, K., Patel, M.K.: Innovations in papermaking: an LCA of printing and writing paper from conventional and high yield pulp. Sci. Total Environ. 15(439), 307–320 (2012)
Merugula, A.L., Khanna, V., Bakshi, R.B.: Comparative life cycle assessment: reinforcing wind turbine blades with carbon nanofibers. In: Proceedings of the 2010 IEEE International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology (ISSST 2010). 5507724 (2010)
Meyer, E.D., Curran, M.A., Gonzalez, M.A.: An examination of silver nanoparticles in socks using screening-level life cycle assessment. J. Nanopart. Res. 13(1), 147–156 (2010)
Miseljic, M.: Improvement of methodological and data background for life cycle assessment of nano-metaloxides, Ph.D. thesis, Handed in November 2014 & Defended in February 2015, Technical University of Denmark (2014)
Miseljic, M., Olsen, S.I.: Life-cycle assessment of engineered nanomaterials: a literature review of assessment status. J. Nanopart. Res. 16(6), 2427 (2014)
Moign, A., Vardelle, A., Themelis, N.J., Legoux, J.G.: Life cycle assessment of using powder and liquid precursors in plasma spraying: the case of yttria-stabilized zirconia. Surf. Coat. Technol. 205(2), 668–673 (2010)
Oberdörster, G., Stone, V., Donaldson, K.: Toxicology of nanoparticles: a historical perspective. Nanotoxicology 1(1), 2–25 (2007)
Osterwalder, N., Capello, C., Hungerbühler, K., Stark, J.W.: Energy consumption during nanoparticle production: How economic is dry synthesis? J. Nanopart. Res. 8(1), 1–9 (2006)
PoEN (Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies): Consumer products inventory. http://www.nanotechproject.org/cpi (2014). Accessed 5 Aug 2014
Quik, T.K.J., Vonk, A.J., Hansen, F.S., Baun, A., Van De Meent, D.: How to assess exposure of aquatic organisms to manufactured nanoparticles? Environ. Int. 37(2011), 1068–1077 (2011)
Ratte, H.T.: Bioaccumulation and toxicity of silver compounds: a review. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 18, 89–108 (1999)
Roes, A.L., Marsili, E., Nieuwlaar, E., Patel, M.K.: Environmental and cost assessment of a polypropylene nanocomposite. J. Polym. Environ. 15(3), 212–226 (2007)
Rupasinghe, R.-A.-T.P.: Dissolution and aggregation of zinc oxide nanoparticles at circumneutral pH; a study of size effects in the presence and absence of citric acid. Master thesis, University of Iowa (2011)
SCENIHR: The existing and proposed definitions relating to products of nanotechnologies. Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks. http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_scenihr/docs/scenihr_o_012.pdf (2007). Accessed 20 Sept 2012
Scheringer, M., Macleod, M., Behra, R., Sigg, L., Hungerbühler, K.: Environmental risk associated with nanoparticulate silver used as biocide. H and PC Compendium on Detergency, vol. 6(2), April/June 2011, pp. 27–29 (2010)
Som, C., Berges, M., Chaudry, Q., Dusinska, M., Fernandes, F.T., Olsen, S.I., Nowack, B.: The importance of life cycle concepts for the development of safe nanoproducts. Toxicology 269(2–3), 160–169 (2010)
Som, C., Wick, P., Krug, H., Nowack, B.: Environmental and health effects of nanomaterials in nanotextiles and façade coatings. Environ. Int. 37, 1131–1142 (2011)
Steinfeldt, M., von Gleich, A., Henkle, J.L.L., Endo, M., Morimoto, S., Momosaki, E.: Environmental relief effects of nanotechnologies by the example of CNT composite materials and films. In: International Conference; 9th, Ecobalance; Towards and Beyond 2020 (2010)
Suppen, N., Carranza, M., Huerta, M., Hernández, A.M.: Environmental management and life cycle approaches in the Mexican mining industry. J. Clean. Prod. 14(12–13), 1101–1115 (2005)
Sweet, L., Strohm, B.: Nanotechnology—life-cycle risk management. Hum. Ecol. Risk Assess. 12, 528–551 (2006)
Tibbetts, G.G., Bernardo, C.A., Gorkiewicz, D.W., Alig, R.A.: Role of sulfur in the production of carbon fibers in the vapor phase. Carbon 32(4), 569–576 (1994)
Vonk, J.A., Struijs, J., van de Meent, D., Peijnenburg, W.J.G.M.: Nanomaterials in the Aquatic Environment: Toxicity. Exposure and Risk Assessment. RIVM Report 607794001/2009, RIVM Bilthoven, Nederlands. http://www.rivm.nl/bibliotheek/rapporten/607794001.pdf (2009). Accessed 10 Oct 2012
Walser, T., Demou, E., Lang, J.D., Hellweg, S.: Prospective environmental life cycle assessment of nanosilver t-shirts. Environ. Sci. Technol. 45(10), 4570–4578 (2011)
Zhu, X., Chang, Y., Chen, Y.: Toxicity and bioaccumulation of TiO2 nanoparticle aggregates in Daphnia magna. Chemosphere 78, 209–215 (2009)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Miseljic, M., Olsen, S.I. (2018). LCA of Nanomaterials. In: Hauschild, M., Rosenbaum, R., Olsen, S. (eds) Life Cycle Assessment. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56475-3_32
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56475-3_32
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-56474-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-56475-3
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)