Developing Sustainable Nanomanufacturing

Developing Sustainable Nanomanufacturing Dhimiter Bello, ScD., MSc Dept. Work Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell & The Center for High Rate Nanomanufacturing

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Sustainable Production can be defined as the creation of goods and services using processes and systems that are: Non-polluting; Conserving of energy and natural resources; Economically viable; Safe and healthful for workers, communities, and consumers; Socially and creatively rewarding for all working people.

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Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, http://www.sustainableproduction.org/abou.what.shtml, September 3, 2009.

Reminder Slide Courtesy of Prof . R . Herrick , Harvard School of Public Health

I wish to acknowledge receipt of your October 1st enclosing copy of the September 25th letter from the editor of ‘ASBESTOS’. I quite agree with you that our interests are best served by having asbestosis receive the minimum of publicity .

Lessons from the past 

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Harremoës P, Gee D, Macgarvin M, Stirling A, Keys J, Wynne B, et al. 2001. Late lessons from early warnings: the precautionary principle 1896-2000. Environmental Issue Report, No 22. Copenhagen: European Environmental Agency. ‘We are in danger of repeating old, potentially costly, mistakes.’

Hansen SF, Maynard A, Baun A, Tickner JA. 2008. Late lessons from early warnings for nanotechnology. Nat Nanotechnol 3(8): 444-447.

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• Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering, “Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties”, July 29, 2004, http://www.nanotec.org.uk/finalReport.htm.

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Provided a roadmap for responsible development of nanotechnology

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The Responsible Nano Forum. 2009. A beacon or just a

NEU ; UML ; UNH

Thrust 1 : Nanoelements and Nanotemplates NEU ; UML ; UNH

NEU ; UML ; UNH

Education & Outreach

Thrust 2 : High - rate Assembly and Transfer

UML

NEU ; UML ; UNH

Thrust 4 : Responsible Manufacturing

T h ru st 3 : Te stb e d s , A p p lica tio n s a n d R e lia b ility

NEU ;

CHN Path to Nanomanufacturing Exposure Assessment & Control High-rate Toxicity Screening

End-of-Life Impacts

Environmental and Economic Uncertainties

Regulatory Issues

Social & Ethical Issues

Slide courtesy of 5 Isaacs, J.

Thrust 4: RESPONSIBLE NANOMANUFACTURING

Human Health and the Environment MAXIMIZE Technological Benefits , while MINIMIZING Health RISKS !

•Toxicity Screening •Biological Significance •Better Exposure Metrics

• Are there Exposures? • Are they Hazardous? • How to best avoid them?

Broader Context: Safety ~ 1/Risk

Health Risk = f(EXPOSURE,  TOXICITY, EPIGENETIC & NUTRITIONAL,  TIME) 1.Exposures as important 

EXPOSURE

TOXICI TY

EPIGENETIC & NUTRITIONAL

as

Toxicity 2.We can act upon exposures in face of other uncertainties 3.Toxicity is strongly influenced by material type 4.Limited options on epigenetic factors ;[email protected] 7

Changes are difficult to make • Approximate ratio of publications on Synthesis & Applications : Toxicity: Exposures  

>1000 : 10-100:MATERIAL 1 SCIENCES

&

NANO MANUFACTURING

TOXICI TY

Exposur e

First US-China workshop Priority Areas on nano EHS 1 . Nanomaterial Liberation in air & environment 2 . Green nanomanufacturing , focusing on the scientific issues arising in the systematic design of environmentally benign nanoproducts and nanoprocesses ; 3 . Series of joint US - China workshops on sustainable development of nanotechnologies ; 4 . An international Institute for Sustainable Nanotechnology Development as a world - wide hub of exchange and cooperation .

A PROPOSED CONCEPTUAL MODEL:

Grant proposal to NSF P.I.R.E., Chen J, PI

Exposure Assessment

RESEARCH & EDUCATION Components 

INTERNATIONAL Interdisciplin ary Modifications, Processing and Performance  Human and Environmental Toxicity 3 Test Systems that reflect commercializati on stages

METRICS Thrust 1

Thrust 2

NM SYNTHESIS & PERFORMANCE •Structural •Mechanical •Electrical •Photodegradation •Antimicrobial activity • •Physicochemical characterization

Thrust 3

HUMAN EXPOSURES Inhalation •Number concentration •Size Distribution •Surface area •Morphology •Chemical analysis

Dermal

TOXICITY EVALUATION Tiered approach

1. SCREENING •Oxidative Stress in human serum •Cellular toxicity: Multiple endpoints in human lung cells (macrophages & endothelial) and bacteria 2. Animal Toxicity (limited) 3. Biomarkers in humans 4. Environmental impact: Effects on wastewater treatment bacteria