Nanomaterials in Waste Streams
Current Knowledge on Risks and Impacts
Nanotechnology is an emerging and promising field for advanced applications in industrial, commercial and medical sectors, and nanomaterials can be found today in sunscreens, deodorants and textiles. Yet these nanomaterials, which are increasing in number, are entering waste streams as part of end-of-life products along with conventional waste, without any real understanding of their environmental impacts or health risks on human beings and living organisms.
This report provides a literature review on four specific waste treatment processes (recycling, incineration, landfilling and wastewater treatment). While state-of-the-art waste treatment facilities may collect, divert or eliminate nanomaterials from these waste streams, the report concludes that knowledge gaps associated with their final disposal remain, underlining the need for further research in this area.
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Landfilling of waste containing nanomaterials and nanowaste
This chapter provides an initial review of available scientific information about the sources of ENMs in landfills, their fate and behaviour there, as well as the effectiveness of landfills in retaining ENMs. It investigates potential pathways of ENM releases into the environment and considers the related risks. The chapter summarises key points of concern and identifies existing knowledge gaps.
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