Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/30486
Title: Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design Framework Based on a Prospective Life Cycle Assessment: Lessons Learned from a Nano-Titanium Dioxide Case Study
Authors: Tsalidis, GA
Soeteman-Hernández, LG
Noorlander, CW
Saedy, S
Ruud van Ommen, J
Vijver, MG
Korevaar, G
Keywords: toxic-free environment;nanomaterial;life cycle impact assessment;titanium dioxide nanomaterial;R&D developers;green deal;technological innovations;P25-TiO2
Issue Date: 2-Apr-2022
Publisher: MDPI
Citation: Tsalidis, G.A. et al. (2022) 'Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design Framework Based on a Prospective Life Cycle Assessment: Lessons Learned from a Nano-Titanium Dioxide Case Study', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (7), 4241, pp. 1 - 16. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19074241.
Abstract: Safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) is a concept that takes a systems approach by integrating safety, sustainability, and functionality throughout a product’s the life cycle. This paper proposes a framework based on a prospective life cycle assessment for early safety and sustainability assessment. The framework’s purpose is to identify environmental sustainability and toxicity hotspots early in the innovation process for future SSbD applicability. If this is impossible, key performance indicators are assessed. Environmental sustainability aspects, such as global warming potential (GWP) and cumulative energy demand (CED), and toxicity aspects, such as human toxicity potential and freshwater ecotoxicity potential, were assessed upon applying the framework on a case study. The case study regarded using nano-titanium dioxide (P25-TiO2) or a modified nano-coated version (Cu2O-coated/P25-TiO2) as photocatalysts to produce hydrogen from water using sunlight. Although there was a decrease in environmental impact (GWP and CED), the modified nano-coated version had a relatively higher level of human toxicity and freshwater eco-toxicity. For the presented case study, SSbD alternatives need to be considered that improve the photocatalytic activity but are not toxic to the environment. This case study illustrates the importance of performing an early safety and environmental sustainability assessment to avoid the development of toxic alternatives.
Description: Data Availability Statement: Not applicable.
Supplementary Materials: The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/ijerph19074241/s1, Table S1: Data needed from nano-toxicity studies, Table S2: Life cycle inventory of reference system, Table S3: Life cycle inventory of additional processes for original system, Table S4: Calculation of characterization factors for freshwater ecotoxicity and human toxicity.
URI: https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/30486
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074241
Other Identifiers: ORCiD: Georgios Archimidis Tsalidis https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0670-1751
ORCiD: Lya G. Soeteman-Hernández https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3529-3694
ORCiD: Saeed Saedy https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3822-4678
ORCiD: Martina G. Vijver https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2999-1605
ORCiD: Gijsbert Korevaar https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7429-680X
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Appears in Collections:Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research Papers

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