Promoting a sustainable nanotechnology industry by evaluating the environmental risks of nanoparticle release from nano-enhanced materials in the Canadian environment

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Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs), which have at least one dimension in the range of 1-100 nm, are used in the manufacture of industrial and consumer products, to enable or enhance specific functions towards delivery of high performance products. Many ENP-containing products are directly exposed to the environment. As a result, ENPs may be released to the environment, particularly to aquatic ecosystems. Recently, some estimates have been provided from model predictions based on approximate worldwide production volumes, and materials flow analyses from the products to different environmental compartments. These studies suggest that levels of ENPs in the environment are close to levels that induce toxicity in aquatic organisms, and with increased production of ENPs in future years, are likely to cause adverse impacts to aquatic ecosystem health. In this study we will assess the release of ENPs from paint and paperboard products. When outdoor paint is exposed to precipitation (rain and snow) along with harsh weathering by sunlight, salt spray and freezing temperatures, ENPs may be released to water which may enter aquatic ecosystems. Similarly, when paperboard is exposed to paper recycling processes, ENPs from paper may be released with effluents to water bodies. In this study we will develop analytical methods to measure ENP release. We will explore how the environmental behaviour and toxicity of these ENPs differ from the pristine ENPs that were used in the manufacture of the paint or paperboard products. The results will inform policies on the implementation of safe nanotechnology and will provide in-depth knowledge to our industrial partners and to policy markers on the impact of ENPs released from various products on aquatic ecosystems.