Timing, hosts and locations of (grouped) events of NanoImpactNet

NanoSafetyCluster - Compendium 2012
will be carried out, followed by an exposure measurement in order
to identify and quantify any potential particle release in the
production and processing activities. A comprehensive hazard
assessment will allow the evaluation of effects on human and
environmental models, including the development of a
nanoparticle migration and release index as a hazard indicator.
Results from the exposure and hazard assessment studies will be
used to compile a risk assessment of the use of nanoparticles in
the packaging industry. An evaluation of the effectiveness of risk
management measures will be undertaken in order to select and
design practical and cost effective strategies, which will be easy to
implement in the real operational conditions of industrial settings.
In addition, as part of this assessment we will conduct a life cycle
assessment of nanocomposites, by evaluating their impacts during
the processes of manufacture, use and disposal.
2 Background
Nowadays, the further development of the nanotechnology
applied to the packaging industry has enabled the production of
functional nanocomposites that are already placed on the market.
In this sense, nanoclays have been used as nanoreinforcements in
several polymers such as nylons, polyolefins (polypropylene),
polystyrene or poly(ethylene terephthalate). Similar aspects can be
found in relation to the use of the metal oxide nanoparticles (Ag,
TiO2, MgO, ZnO), used to develop high-conducting and lowleakage
porous polymers.
On the other hand, the use of nanoparticles currently raises many
questions and generates concerns, due to the fragmentary
scientific knowledge of their health and safety risks. The
uncertainties are great because such small particles exhibit novel
properties that are distinctively different from their conventional
forms and can affect their physical, chemical and biological
behaviour. In general, the engineered nanoparticles are more toxic
than equivalent larger-scale chemical substances. Simultaneously,
the use of nanomaterials by workers presents new challenges to
understanding, predicting, and managing potential health risks.
Primary routes of occupational exposure to nanoparticles include
inhalation, trans-dermal absorption and ingestion, however the
exposure to nanomaterials is likely to vary throughout the product
life cycle (production, use and disposal). Surveys have indicated
that nanotechnology – related industry workers have the potential
to be exposed to nanoparticles and the degree of skin
contamination could not be negligible. In this sense, several
studies have determined representative values of airborne
nanoparticles in the worker environment due to the ability of
nanoparticles to be easily dispersed as a dust (e.g. a powder) or an
airborne spray or droplets, resulting in greater worker exposure. In
fact, large quantities of nanoparticles are released into the air
during the extruder heating phase.
In terms of protection strategies, the current available information
is only based on the implementation of engineering techniques,
administrative controls and personal protective equipment,
without considering specific operative conditions and the
unpredictable behavior of the airborne nanoparticles. In this sense,
the state of the art shows that the design quality and especially the
verification of efficiency are essential factors to ensure adequate
protection of workers and nowadays there are no studies in the
scientific literature regarding evaluation of the performance of the
ventilation equipment used in applications with engineered
nanoparticles.
Finally, considering the consumer stage, several studies show a
substantial release of nanoparticles from synthetic polymers.
Furthermore, nanoparticles may be released when
nanocomposites are subjected to wear, such as UV radiation or
abrasive uses in the case of packaging nanocomposites. In this
sense, there is significant evidence that TiO2 nanoparticles used in
polymeric solutions are detached by natural weathering and the
tribological studies on SiO2/acrylate nanocomposites show that
friction leads to the gradual loss of SiO2 nanoparticles. Amongst
these concerns, several strategies have been identified to reduce
release and loss of nanoparticles during the service life of
nanoproducts, for example the tribomechanical performance of
nanoparticle filled polymer composites.
3 Concept and Objectives
3.1 Project Concept
The concept of NanosafePACK stems from the need to ensure the
safety of workers dealing with nanoparticles and to guarantee the
safety of the nanocomposites placed on the market, complying
with the European regulation and avoiding endangering
consumers’ health and the environment.
We need to find a cost effective solution to guarantee a safe
working environment in the specific nanocomposites production
process, as well as to predict and control the release of
nanoparticles at all stages of the nanocomposites life cycle,
avoiding the exposure of consumers to nanoparticles. We must
cover these needs in order to promote the manufacture of
innovative products that can compete with the growing
composites industry of China and India, improving the
competitiveness of our members and the European packaging
industry in general. To achieve this, we must ensure the fulfilment
of the current regulation in terms of worker safety and consumer
health, avoiding workers exposure to nanoparticles and testing the
potential release of the nanofillers across of the polymeric matrix
in normal conditions of use.
Figure 1. Concept of the NanoSafePACK project
3.2 Project Objectives
The main objective of the NanoSafePACK project is to develop a
best practices guide to allow the safe handling and use of
182 Compendium of Projects in the European NanoSafety Cluster