Life Cycle Assessment of Nanomaterials

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Research article

Journal of the Korean Society for Environmental Analysis 2010;13(1):26-32.

나노물질의 전과정 평가

이종협¹, 박준수¹, 곽병규¹, 배은주¹, 김영훈², 최경희³, 이정진¹

¹서울대학교
²광운대학교
³국립환경과학원

Abstract

As increasing use of nanoproducts including engineered nanomaterials, it is expected that the exposure of nanomaterials to the ecosystem increases. However, few methodology has been reported to evaluate impacts of nanoparticles on human health and environment. The potential impacts of nanoproducts can be assessed in terms of life cycle assessment (LCA). LCA is the systematic analysis of the resource usages and emissions over the life time from the primary resources to the moment of disposal. In this study, LCA methodology of nanomaterials and nanoproduct was proposed based on international standards (ISO14040-14044). Results of this study suggested that data on ecotoxicology and environmental fate and physicochemical characteristic of nanomaterials should be identified. In addition, database should be established on these preliminary data. Sustainable development of nanotechnology will be accomplished after the evaluation of environmental impact via LCA of nanomaterials.

Key Words: Nanomaterials, Nanoproduct, Nanotechnology, Life cycle assessment, LCA