Determination of engineered nanoparticles on textiles and in textile wastewaters

Textile materials with engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) have excellent properties as they are antibacterial, antimicrobial, water resistant and protective. The textile industry has recognized the importance and the advantages of ENPs, so they comprise one of the fastest developing branches of processing. The most important sources of ENPs released to the environment from textiles are textile-industry wastewaters and waters from large hospital or hotel laundries. In addition, waste textile materials coated with ENPs present a threat to the environment, if such materials are not properly handled and disposed of after use. Currently, the toxicity and the potential harm of ENPs widely applied on textiles are not thoroughly investigated and/or eliminated. Consequently, there is an urgent need to define the most appropriate analytical methods for monitoring ENPs on textiles. This review presents the most important techniques for monitoring ENPs on textile materials and in textile-wastewater samples, from the perspective of protecting the environment and human health. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.