Prospective Environmental Assessment of Nanotechnologies
Doctoral thesis of Tobias Walser
The use of nanoparticles is ever increasing, however one of main issues still to be dealt with is the potential exposure and subsequent toxicity nanoparticles and other submicron particles have on humans and the environment.
In this project, a tool is developed which gives clear guidance on how to perform future, real-scale life cycle assessments of nanotechnologies. Common features with current technologies as well as the new nanospecific aspects are characterized and an inventory scheme proposed. The tool will allow a systematic and operational procedure to derive an optimal level of complexity in the future technology modeling. Special foci are given to the uncertainty and complexity of nanoparticle fate and behavior in the environment and in occupational settings. The prospective assessment will be illustrated with case studies.
Cooperation with
This project is linked to the research project external page PROSUITE (PROspective SUstaInability Assessment of Technologies), running under the 7th Framework Programme of the European Commission.
Duration
November 2009- December 2013
Life-cycle assessment framework for indoor emissions of synthetic nanoparticles
Walser, Tobias; Meyer, David; Fransman, Wouter; Buist, Harrie; Kuijpers, Eelco; Brouwer, Derk
Journal of Nanoparticle Research C7 - 245 2015, 17, 1-18Stochastic fate analysis of engineered nanoparticles in incineration plants
Walser, Tobias; Gottschalk, Fadri
Journal of Cleaner Production 2014, in pressLife cycle assessment of engineered nanomaterials: State of the art and strategies to overcome existing gaps
Hischier, Roland; Walser, Tobias
Science of the Total Environment 2012, 425, 271-282Persistence of engineered nanoparticles in a municipal solid waste incineration plant
Walser, T; Limbach, LK; Brogioli, R; Erismann, E; Flamigni, L; Hattendorf, B; Juchli, M; Krumeich, F; Ludwig, C; Prikopsky, K; Rossier, M; Saner, D; Sigg, A; Hellweg, S; Günther, D; Stark, WJ
Nature Nanotechnology 2012, 7, 520–524Exposure to engineered nanoparticles: Model and measurements for accident situations in laboratories
Walser, Tobias; Hellweg, Stefanie; Juraske, Ronnie; Luechinger, Norman A.; Wang, Jing; Fierz, Martin
Science of the Total Environment 2012, 420, 119-126Prospective Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Nanosilver T-Shirts
Walser, Tobias; Demou, Evangelia; Lang, Daniel J.; Hellweg, Stefanie
Environmental Science&Technology 2011, 45, 4570-4578
- Life Cycle Assessments and Nanotechnology: First results and further steps within the EU project PROSUITE
Walser T., Hellweg S.
Symposium nanoLCA: Safety Issues of Nanomaterials along their Life Cycle, Barcelona, Spain 2011 - Occupational Exposure to Engineered Nanoparticles: Measurement Campaign with Multiple Devices under Various Release Scenarios
Walser T., Hellweg S., Luechinger N., Fierz M.
INRS Occupational Health Research Conference, Nancy, France 2011 - Prospective Life Cycle Assessments of Nanosilver Textile Coatings
Walser T., Demou E., Lang DJ., Hellweg S.
NanoImpactNet Conference, Lausanne, Switzerland 2009 - Prospective Assessment of Nanotechnology: Case Study on Nanosilver in Textiles
Walser T., Demou E., Lang DJ., Hellweg S.
38th LCA Discussion Forum, Zurich, Switzerland 2009 - Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of Nanosilver Textile Products.
Walser T., Demou E., Lang DJ., Hellweg S.
SETAC Europe 19th annual meeting, Göteborg, Sweden 2009