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Chemical safety and biosafety

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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.

Published on February 22, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword
Acronyms
Executive summary
Assessment and recommendations
Recycling of waste containing nanomaterials
Incineration of waste containing nanomaterials
Landfilling of waste containing nanomaterials and nanowaste
The fate of engineered nanomaterials in sewage treatment plants and agricultural applications
Glossary
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