Environmental and human health assessment of life cycle of nanoTiO2functionalized porcelain stoneware tile.
Recently, there has been a rise in the interest in nanotechnology due to its enormous potential for the development of new products and applications with higher performance and new functionalities. However, while nanotechnology might revolutionize a number of industrial and consumer sectors, there are uncertainties and knowledge gaps regarding toxicological effects of this emerging science. The goal of this research concerns the implementation into Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of preliminary frameworks developed to evaluate human toxicity and exposure factors related to the potential nanoparticle releases that could occur during the life cycle steps of a functionalized building material. The present LCA case study examines the ecodesign of nanoTiO2functionalized porcelain stoneware tile production. The aim of this investigation is to manufacture new eco-friendly products in order to protect human health and ecosystem quality and to offer the market, materials with higher technological properties obtained by the addition of specific nanomaterials.
Department of Sciences and Engineering Methods, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola, 2, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Martina
M
Pini
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 181/A, Parma, Italy.
Federica
F
Bondioli
Department of Sciences and Engineering Methods, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola, 2, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Rita
R
Montecchi
Department of Sciences and Engineering Methods, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola, 2, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Paolo
P
Neri
Department of Sciences and Engineering Methods, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola, 2, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Anna Maria
AM
Ferrari
D003252:Construction Materials; D006801:Humans; D066192:Manufacturing Industry; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000032:analysis*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D014025:Titanium / Q000032:analysis*
C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium
Eco-design; Functionalized ceramic tile; Human toxicity; LCA; nanoTiO(2)