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Khalaj M, Kamali M, Aminabhavi TM, Costa MEV, Dewil R, Appels L, Capela I. Sustainability insights into the synthesis of engineered nanomaterials - Problem formulation and considerations. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 220:115249. [PMID: 36632884 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have been introduced into the market for a wide range of applications. As per the literature review, the fabrication of new generations of ENMs is starting to comply with environmental, economic, and social criteria in addition to technical aspects to meet sustainability criteria. At this stage, identification of the appropriate criteria for the synthesis of ENMs is critical because the technologies already developed at the lab scales are being currently transferred to pilot and full scales. Hence, the development of scientific-based methodologies to identify, screen, and prioritize the involved criteria is highly necessary. In the present manuscript, a fuzzy-Delphi methodology is adopted to identify the main criteria and sub-criteria encompassing the sustainable fabrication of ENMs, and to explore the "degree of consensus" among the experts on the relative importance of the mentioned criteria. The "health and safety risks" respecting the equipment and the materials, solvent used, and availability of "green experts" were identified as the most critical criteria. Furthermore, although all the criteria were identified as being important, some criteria, such as "solvent" and "raw materials cost", raised a lower degree of consensus, indicating that various "degrees of uncertainties" still exist regarding the level of importance of the studied criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadreza Khalaj
- Department of Environment and Planning, Center for Environmental and Marine Studies, CESAM,University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Materials and Ceramics Engineering, Aveiro Institute of Materials, CICECO, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Mohammadreza Kamali
- Center for Environmental and Marine Studies, CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal; KU Leuven, Department of Chemical Engineering, Process and Environmental Technology Lab, J. De Nayerlaan 5, 2860, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
| | - Tejraj M Aminabhavi
- School of Advanced Sciences, KLE Technological University, Hubballi, Karnataka, 580 031, 580 031, India; Department of Chemistry, Karnatak University, Dharwad, 580 003, India; University Center for Research & Development (UCRO), Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, 140 413, India.
| | - M Elisabete V Costa
- Department of Materials and Ceramics Engineering, Aveiro Institute of Materials, CICECO, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Raf Dewil
- KU Leuven, Department of Chemical Engineering, Process and Environmental Technology Lab, J. De Nayerlaan 5, 2860, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
| | - Lise Appels
- KU Leuven, Department of Chemical Engineering, Process and Environmental Technology Lab, J. De Nayerlaan 5, 2860, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
| | - Isabel Capela
- Department of Environment and Planning, Center for Environmental and Marine Studies, CESAM,University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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Ogura I, Kotake M, Ata S. Quantitative evaluation of carbon nanomaterial releases during electric heating wire cutting and sawing machine cutting of expanded polystyrene-based composites using thermal carbon analysis. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2019; 16:165-178. [PMID: 30427298 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2018.1540874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Field measurements were conducted at a facility where expanded polystyrene-based carbon nanomaterial composites, namely, carbon nanotube and carbon black composites, were cut with an electric heating wire cutter or a circular sawing machine. The aerosol particles released during the cutting of the composites were measured using real-time aerosol monitoring, gravimetric analysis, thermal carbon analysis, and scanning electron microscopic observations. This study had two major goals: (1) to quantitatively evaluate the concentrations of airborne carbon nanomaterials during the cutting of their composites; (2) to evaluate the capability of thermal carbon analysis to quantify airborne carbon nanomaterials in the presence of expanded polystyrene-derived particles. The results of thermal carbon analysis showed that the concentrations of elemental carbon (an indicator of carbon nanomaterials) for all the respirable dust samples in both cutting processes were less than the limit of detection (∼2 µg/m3), which is nearly equivalent to or lower than the occupational exposure limits for carbon nanotubes (1 to 50 µg/m3). For total dust, which includes particles larger than respirable size, although the elemental carbon concentrations during heating wire cutting were low (<3 µg/m3), those during sawing machine cutting were up to 58 µg/m3. In scanning electron microscopic observations, micron-sized particles composed of or including carbon nanotubes were detected only in aerosol particles collected during the sawing machine cutting. Therefore, heating wire cutting is considered preferable. This study demonstrated that thermal carbon analysis can quantify airborne carbon nanomaterials in the presence of expanded polystyrene-derived particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isamu Ogura
- a Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) , Ibaraki , Japan
- b Technology Research Association for Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (TASC) , Ibaraki , Japan
| | - Mari Kotake
- b Technology Research Association for Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (TASC) , Ibaraki , Japan
| | - Seisuke Ata
- b Technology Research Association for Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (TASC) , Ibaraki , Japan
- c CNT-Application Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) , Ibaraki , Japan
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Kato N, Nagaya T, Matsui Y, Yoneda M. Exposure assessment of carbon nanotubes at pilot factory focusing on quantitative determination of catalytic metals. J Occup Health 2017; 59:521-528. [PMID: 28993572 PMCID: PMC5721274 DOI: 10.1539/joh.17-0002-oa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The application of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) currently extends to various fields. However, it has been reported that exposure to CNT causes hazardous effects on animals and cells. The purpose of this study was to quantify the exposure to MWCNT in MWCNT/polymer composites for exposure assessment. We focused on catalytic metals included in the MWCNT and the diameter of dust released during the working processes. Although the Co in MWCNTs is not a common catalyst, it was used as a tracer in this study. METHODS A field survey was conducted in a MWCNT/polymer composite pilot factory. Airborne MWCNTs were monitored using black carbon monitors (BCMs) and optical particle sizers (OPSs) and collected on a filter. The MWCNT powder, all polymer resins used during the working processes, and the filter were analyzed in our lab using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and electron microscopic observation. RESULTS The mean concentration of airborne MWCNT contained in the collected dust was 0.92 μg/m3 a few meters away from the extruder during the working processes (using elemental analysis). The maximum concentration measured using BCMs was shown to be seven times higher than the base concentration during the pelletizing process of polycarbonate (PC) and MWCNT composites. However, free, isolated, and unbound agglomerated MWCNTs were not detected using scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observation. CONCLUSIONS The result obtained by elemental analysis indicated it was possible to quantify MWCNT in composites. The mean concentration at this factory was lower than the recommended exposure limit. However, additional studies during the pelletizing process are required in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuyuki Kato
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University
| | - Taiki Nagaya
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University
| | - Yasuto Matsui
- Agency for Health, Safety and Environment, Kyoto University
| | - Minoru Yoneda
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University
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Guseva Canu I, Bateson TF, Bouvard V, Debia M, Dion C, Savolainen K, Yu IJ. Human exposure to carbon-based fibrous nanomaterials: A review. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2016; 219:166-75. [PMID: 26752069 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2015.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In an emerging field of nanotechnologies, assessment of exposure to carbon nanotubes (CNT) and carbon nanofibers (CNF) is an integral component of occupational and environmental epidemiology, risk assessment and management, as well as regulatory actions. The current state of knowledge on exposure to carbon-based fibrous nanomaterials among workers, consumers and general population was studied in frame of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs-Volume 111 "Some Nanomaterials and Some Fibres". Completeness and reliability of available exposure data for use in epidemiology and risk assessment were assessed. Occupational exposure to CNT/CNF may be of concern at all stages of the material life-cycle from research through manufacture to use and disposal. Consumer and environmental exposures are only estimated by modeled data. The available information of the final steps of the life-cycle of these materials remains incomplete so far regarding amounts of handled materials and levels of exposure. The quality and amount of information available on the uses and applications of CNT/CNF should be improved to enable quantitative assessment of human exposure to these materials. For that, coordinated effort in producing surveys and exposure inventories based on harmonized strategy of material test, exposure measurement and reporting results is strongly encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Guseva Canu
- Institut de veille sanitaire, Département Santé-Travail, Saint-Maurice, France.
| | - Thomas F Bateson
- Environmental Protection Agency, Effects Identification & Characterization Group, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Veronique Bouvard
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), IARC Monographs Section, Lyon, France
| | - Maximilien Debia
- Institut de recherche en santé publique de l'Université de Montréal, Département de santé environnementale et santé au travail, Montreal, Canada
| | - Chantal Dion
- Institut de recherche en santé publique de l'Université de Montréal, Département de santé environnementale et santé au travail, Montreal, Canada; Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et sécurité du travail, Département de santé environnementale et santé au travail, Montreal, Canada
| | - Kai Savolainen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Nanosafety Research Centre, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Il-Je Yu
- Hoseo University, Toxicological Research Center, Asan, South Korea
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