Characterisation of Engineered Nanomaterials in Nano-Enabled Products Exhibiting Priority Environmental Exposure

Analytical limitations have constrained the determination of nanopollution character from real-world sources such as nano-enabled products (NEPs), thus hindering the development of environmental safety guidelines for engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). This study examined the properties of ENMs in 18 commercial products: sunscreens, personal care products, clothing, and paints-products exhibiting medium to a high potential for environmental nanopollution. It was found that 17 of the products contained ENMs; 9, 3, 3, and 2 were incorporated with nTiO(2), nAg, binaries of nZnO + nTiO(2), and nTiO(2) + nAg, respectively. Commonly, the nTiO(2) were elongated or angular, whereas nAg and nZnO were near-spherical and angular in morphology, respectively. The size ranges (width x length) were 7-48 x 14-200, 34-35 x 37-38, and 18-28 nm for nTiO(2), nZnO, and nAg respectively. All ENMs were negatively charged. The total concentration of Ti, Zn, and Ag in the NEPs were 2.3 x 10(-4)-4.3%, 3.4-4.3%, and 1.0 x 10(-4)-11.3 x 10(-3)%, respectively. The study determined some key ENM characteristics required for environmental risk assessment; however, challenges persist regarding the accurate determination of the concentration in NEPs. Overall, the study confirmed NEPs as actual sources of nanopollution; hence, scenario-specific efforts are recommended to quantify their loads into water resources.

Automated summary

Analytical limitations have hindered the determination of nanopollution characteristics from nano-enabled products (NEPs), which are actual sources of nanopollution. This study examined the properties of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in 18 commercial products, revealing their diverse morphologies and negative charges. Despite identifying key ENM characteristics for environmental risk assessment, challenges persist in accurately determining concentrations in NEPs.