Abstract
Screening-level life cycle assessment (LCA) can provide a quick tool to identify the life cycle hot spots and focus research
efforts to help to minimize the burdens of a technology while maximizing its benefits. The use of nanoscale silver in consumer
products has exploded in popularity. Although its use is considered beneficial because of antimicrobial effects, some attention
must be given to the potential environmental impacts it could impart on the life cycle of these nanoproducts as production
demands escalate. This work examines the environmental impact of including silver nanoparticles in commercially available
socks using screening-level LCA. Initial results suggest washing during the use phase contributes substantially more than
the manufacturing phase to the product life cycle impacts. Comparison of nanoparticles prepared by either chemical reduction,
liquid flame spray (LFS), or plasma arc demonstrate how the type of manufacturing process used for the nanoscale silver can
change the resulting life cycle impact of the sock product. The magnitude of this impact will depend on the type of process
used to manufacture the nanoscale silver, with LFS having the most impact because of the need for large quantities of hydrogen
and oxygen. Although the increased impacts for a single nanoproduct may be relatively small, the added environmental load
can actually be a significant quantity when considered at the regional or global production level.
efforts to help to minimize the burdens of a technology while maximizing its benefits. The use of nanoscale silver in consumer
products has exploded in popularity. Although its use is considered beneficial because of antimicrobial effects, some attention
must be given to the potential environmental impacts it could impart on the life cycle of these nanoproducts as production
demands escalate. This work examines the environmental impact of including silver nanoparticles in commercially available
socks using screening-level LCA. Initial results suggest washing during the use phase contributes substantially more than
the manufacturing phase to the product life cycle impacts. Comparison of nanoparticles prepared by either chemical reduction,
liquid flame spray (LFS), or plasma arc demonstrate how the type of manufacturing process used for the nanoscale silver can
change the resulting life cycle impact of the sock product. The magnitude of this impact will depend on the type of process
used to manufacture the nanoscale silver, with LFS having the most impact because of the need for large quantities of hydrogen
and oxygen. Although the increased impacts for a single nanoproduct may be relatively small, the added environmental load
can actually be a significant quantity when considered at the regional or global production level.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Research Paper
- DOI 10.1007/s11051-010-0013-4
- Authors
- David E. Meyer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Risk Management Research Laboratory 26 W. Martin Luther King Dr. Cincinnati OH 45268 USA
- Mary Ann Curran, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Risk Management Research Laboratory 26 W. Martin Luther King Dr. Cincinnati OH 45268 USA
- Michael A. Gonzalez, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Risk Management Research Laboratory 26 W. Martin Luther King Dr. Cincinnati OH 45268 USA
- Journal Journal of Nanoparticle Research
- Online ISSN 1572-896X
- Print ISSN 1388-0764
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