NANOMICEX

Mitigation of risk and control of exposure in nanotechnology based inks and pigments - NANOMICEX -

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The main aim of NANOMICEX project is to reduce the potential risk upon workers’ exposure to the engineered nanoparticles employed in the operative conditions of the inks and pigments industry, by addressing at the health and environmental consequences associated with the inclusion of nanoadditives within all stages of nanotechnology based products (production, use and disposal). To achieve it, new surface modifiers will be designed and developed to obtain less hazardous and more stable nanoparticles. The proposed work will focus on a selected set of nanoparticles relevant to the ink and pigment sector. Full characterisation will be carried out, followed by an exposure measurement in order to characterise 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 with comparisons between simple and modified nanoparticles carried out. Results from the assessment studies will be used to compile a risk assessment of the use of nanoparticles in the ink and pigment industry, and comparisons will be made with surface-modified nanoparticles. 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 operative conditions. As part of this assessment, we will conduct a life cycle assessment, by evaluating their impacts during the whole process of manufacture, use and disposal of these products. The project results will involve industrial partners, providing an integrated strategy to mitigate the risk of workers dealing with nanoparticles, considering all relevant worker exposure scenarios. Furthermore, NANOMICEX will provide industrial stakeholders and the general public with appropriate knowledge on the risks of nanoparticles and nanoproducts, establishing synergies with the EU nanosafety infrastructure.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) have found a myriad of uses, particularly in the pigment, ink and paint industry. However, there are concerns about the hazards of producing and using ENPs and the potentially detrimental effects on the environment and our health.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

ENP safety and risk profiling is complicated as the physicochemical and biological properties are vastly different from their bulk counterparts. ENPs commonly employed in the pigment, ink and paint industry include aluminium oxide (Al2O3), iron oxide (Fe3O4), zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO2), silver (Ag), quantum dots (QDs) and mixed metal oxides such as cobalt aluminate (CoAl2O4). The EU-funded project 'Mitigation of risk and control of exposure in nanotechnology based inks and pigments' (http://www.nanomicex.eu (NANOMICEX)) was initiated to improve safety and minimise the risks associated with the production and handling of such ENPs.

During the first 18 months of the project ENPs including ZnO, CoAl2O4 and TiO2 were selected for testing and industrial samples were prepared. Their physicochemical properties were characterised before and after surface functionalisation, which was achieved using ligands such as carbohydrates and oligonucleotides. Surface-modified NPs showed lower toxicity than the unmodified samples. However, more studies need to be undertaken to ensure that they retain desirable properties for intended applications in paint and ink formulations.

Project partners' facilities were used to collect data for exposure assessment and measurements. Comprehensive literature reviews helped gather information on the biological, environmental and dermal effects of selected ENPs. Results reveal that NPs such as ZnO, QDs and Ag are likely to be more toxic to both humans and the environment. Researchers defined the requirements for life-cycle analysis, risk characterisation and analysis of cost effectiveness for industrial-scale application of such risk mitigation measures.

An aerosol construction chamber was constructed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of protective equipment such as respirators, filters and protective clothing. Testing revealed a protective efficiency of over 95 %.

The pigment industry currently employs over 10 000 people and sales generate revenue in billions of euros. NANOMICEX will help promote sustainable and safe growth in the paint, printing ink, and pigment industry, generate new jobs and open up more market options. This will significantly improve European competitiveness in these sectors while reducing the health care burden arising from potentially hazardous exposure to ENPs.