Particle flow analysis. Exploring Potential Use Phase Emissions of Titanium Dioxide nanoparticles from Sunscreen, Paint and Cement

• Several authors have highlighted the potential risks of nanoparticles (NPs). Still, little is knownabout the magnitude of emissions of NPs from society. Here, the method of explorativeparticle flow analysis (PFA), a modification of the more well-known substance flow analysis(SFA), is suggested. In explorative PFA, particle number instead of mass is used as flowand stock metric and explorative scenarios are used to account for potential technologydiffusion and, consequently, potentially higher emissions. The method has been applied ina case study of the use phase of titanium dioxide (TiO2) NPs in paint, sunscreen andself-cleaning cement. The results indicate that the current largest emissions of TiO2 NPsoriginate from the use of sunscreen. One scenario implies that, in the future, the largestflows and stocks of TiO2 NPs could be related to self-cleaning cement. Gaps in currentknowledge are identified and suggestions for future research are given.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Naturresursteknik -- Annan naturresursteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Environmental Engineering -- Other Environmental Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

substance flow analysis (SFA)

material flow analysis (MFA)

nanomaterials

industrial ecology

nanotechnology

explorative scenarios

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)