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Linking Exposure to Biological Impact of Nanomaterials
P. Demokritou
Harvard School of Public Health, US
Keywords: nano-enabled products, NEP
Summary:
Nano-enabled products (NEPs) represent a growing economic global market that integrates nanotechnology into our everyday lives. Increased consumer use and disposal of NEPs at their end of life has led to increased environmental, health and safety (EHS) concerns, due to the potential environmental release of constituent engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) used in the synthesis of NEPs. Current nano-risk assessment paradigm focuses on the properties of pristine ENMs used in the synthesis of NEPs rather than the actual properties of the particles released across the NEP life cycle (called LCPM). Although, there is an urgent need to assess LCPM particles and potential EHS implications, no current standardized methodologies exist across the exposure- toxicological characterization continuum. An integrated methodology will be presented, that can be used to link "real world" exposures across life cycle of NEPs to toxicology and disease. Results from implementing this integrated risk assessment approach for two "real world" LCPM systems: 1) Particles emitted from nano-enabled toners used in laser printers; 2) particles released during incineration/thermal decomposition of nano enabled thermoplastics, will be discussed. This comprehensive framework provides a standardized risk assessment approach to assess the release and toxicological implications of ENMs released across the life cycle of NEPs and will help in addressing important knowledge gaps in the field of nanotoxicology.
