Particle flow analysis. Exploring Potential Use Phase Emissions of Titanium Dioxide nanoparticles from Sunscreen, Paint and Cement
Journal article, 2012

Several authors have highlighted the potential risks of nanoparticles (NPs). Still, little is known about the magnitude of emissions of NPs from society. Here, the method of explorative particle 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 flow and stock metric and explorative scenarios are used to account for potential technology diffusion and, consequently, potentially higher emissions. The method has been applied in a case study of the use phase of titanium dioxide (TiO2) NPs in paint, sunscreen and self-cleaning cement. The results indicate that the current largest emissions of TiO2 NPs originate from the use of sunscreen. One scenario implies that, in the future, the largest flows and stocks of TiO2 NPs could be related to self-cleaning cement. Gaps in current knowledge are identified and suggestions for future research are given.

substance flow analysis (SFA)

material flow analysis (MFA)

nanomaterials

industrial ecology

nanotechnology

explorative scenarios

Author

Rickard Arvidsson

Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Environmental Systems Analysis

Sverker Molander

Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Environmental Systems Analysis

Björn Sandén

Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Environmental Systems Analysis

Journal of Industrial Ecology

1088-1980 (ISSN) 1530-9290 (eISSN)

Vol. 16 3 343-351

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Subject Categories

Other Environmental Engineering

DOI

10.1111/j.1530-9290.2011.00429.x

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