(391e) Novel Exposure and Toxicological Methods to Define the End-of-Life Environmental Health and Safety Implications of Nano-Enabled Products | AIChE

(391e) Novel Exposure and Toxicological Methods to Define the End-of-Life Environmental Health and Safety Implications of Nano-Enabled Products

Authors 

Sotiriou, G. A. - Presenter, Harvard University
Singh, D., Harvard University
Zhang, F., Harvard University
Wohlleben, W., BASF SE
Demokritou, P., Harvard School of Public Health

Proliferation of Nano-enabled-Products (NEPs) has inevitably raised the urgent question of nano-release during their synthesis, integration, processing, assembly, usage and eventually recycling or disposal at the end of their life cycle (LC). Apparently, there is a need to study and understand in a systematic manner the release mechanisms and possible exposure routes across the LC of NEPs in particular during incineration. Here, we focus on the development of a novel Integrated Exposure Generation System which enables the assessment of possible environmental health and safety implications during the incineration scenario of nanocomposite materials. A specific target is the employment of the developed exposure platform for a variety of  polymer nanocomposites that are currently in use in many industries and products such as automotive (engineering plastics for multiple components), electrical (plastics for switches, plugs), construction (insulation foams), packaging (extruded polymers, polystyrene), textile (polyamides, monofilaments). Finally, a detailed physicochemical, morphological, and toxicological characterization of the released aerosols for each nanocomposite is performed utilizing the developed exposure system. Biological responses and properties of released aerosol were linked to specific NEP properties and combustion parameters. Through such an understanding, safer-by-design polymer nanocomposites can be manufactured that retain the superior properties without exhibiting adverse effects to the environment and human health.

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