Consumer exposure and risks

Transcription

1 Consumer exposure and risks - Results from the "Better control on nanomaterials" initiative Frans Christensen COWI A/S

2 Consumer exposure, hazards and risks "Better control of nanomaterials" projects: Absorption: Oral intake - review Dermal absorption review + experimental study (role of size and coating of UV-filters) Nanomaterial and product specific projects: Nanosilver (textiles) Nano-TiO 2 (anatase) Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) Commercial aerosol products "General" study overview Danish consumers at risk? Danish EPA - Better control of nanomaterials - Consumers PAGE 2

3 Consumer risk assessment for nanoproducts on the Danish market Question: Is the Danish consumer at "nano-risk"? Quick answer: Well, good question Project partners: COWI A/S (project leader), DHI, National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NRCWE) International reference group: Danish EPA, KEMI, BfR, RIVM, TNO Project period: August 2013 June 2015 Budget: DKK (approx. EUR ) Danish EPA - Better control of nanomaterials - Consumers PAGE 3

4 Consumer project activities Danish EPA - Better control of nanomaterials - Consumers PAGE 4

5 Challenges (some of them) Scarce Danish nano consumer product information Assumptions / Approach Danish situation similar to European (global) Also limited European information on such products Info extracted from reports, literature and available surveys/inventories (RIVM reports, BUND database, Danish nano database ) Such info often based on "claims" Focus on known nano-chemistry (bias? Yes!) Potentially huge number of products 20 (21) "representative" products/exposure scenarios Lack of exposure data Lack of hazard data on NMs in product matrices Worst case assumptions: product content, release, frequency of use, room size, etc. Hazard data on pristine NMs applied Lack of characteristics/characterisation of NM Most critical hazard data for given NM chemistry Lack of NM specific Assessment Factors (AFs) REACH AF approach used with caution Lack of data on surface area / number based metrics Use of mass metric (given available data) Danish EPA - Better control of nanomaterials - Consumers PAGE 5

6 Risk assessment general approach Rather conservative worst-case assumptions, but remaining uncertainties still make it difficult to conclude with high certainty on risk Wikipedia Do not overinterpret! Danish EPA - Better control of nanomaterials - Consumers PAGE 6

7 Results Exposure routes: Inhalation (and oral?) Risk likely: Assumption: No PPE Spray gun: Also risk for paints without NM Sanding surfaces: Specific for water based primer not for generalisation Risk possible/uncertain: Sprays, powders, dust Food additives: new hazard data - under re-evaluation at EU level Sun-screens: Conclusion reached under worst case assumptions possible risk to be weighted against benefits of sunscreens Product/scenario Chewing gum (nano-tio2 in E171) Food additive (nano-silica in E551) Food supplement (nano-ag)* Food contact material (nano-silica) Sunscreen lotion (nano-tio2) Sunscreen pump spray (nano-zno) Mascara (carbon black) Sunscreen lipstick (nano-tio2) Face powder (nano-silica) Paint, rolling (nano-tio2) Sanding surface treated with water based primer (nano-tio2) Paint, spray gun (nano-ag) Impregnation, pump spray (nano-silica) Air-cleaner/nano-filtering (nano-ag) Disinfectant pump spray (nano-ag) Disinfectant propellant spray (nano-ag) Textile (nano-ag) Cement (nano-tio2) Wound dressing (nano-ag) Dental fillings (nano-silica and nano-zro2) Golf club fitting (carbon nanotubes) Exposure route Oral Dermal Inhalation Eye Danish EPA - Better control of nanomaterials - Consumers Risk unlikely Risk uncertain Risk possible Risk likely PAGE 7Not relevant

8 Perspective consumer vs. worker Inhalation: Workers to a larger extent handle pristine nanomaterial powders Potential workers exposure higher and for longer duration Risk reduction normally in place and of better quality in workplaces (Ventilation, personnel protective equipment, etc.) Oral: Possibly higher consumer than worker exposure Danish EPA - Better control of nanomaterials - Consumers PAGE 8

9 Perspective consumer vs. other sources Indoor exposures (by particle number) reach very high levels (candles, cooking, electrical equipment, heating systems ) These levels seem to be higher and for longer duration than consumer levels in general Characterisation of indoor particles is however very limited -> be careful with comparisons Danish EPA - Better control of nanomaterials - Consumers PAGE 9

10 Further information Larsen, P.B., Christensen, F., Jensen, K.A., Brinch, A., Mikkelsen, S.H. (2015). Exposure Assessment of nanomaterials in consumer products. Env. Pr. No Danish EPA. Saber, A.T., Mikkelsen, S.H., Lam, H.R., Hougaard, K.S., Larsen, P.B., Christensen, F., Vogel, U. (2015). Hazard assessment of nanomaterials in consumer products. Env. Pr. No Danish EPA. Larsen, P.B., Kjølholt, J. (2015). Exposure to nanomaterials from the Danish Environment. Env. Pr. No Danish EPA. Christensen et al. (2015). Consumer risk assessment for nanoproducts on the Danish market. Env. Pr. No. 1730, Danish EPA, Copenhagen Danish EPA - Better control of nanomaterials - Consumers PAGE 10

11 Thank you for your attention! Frans Christensen COWI A/S Parallelvej 2 DK Kongens Lyngby Denmark Danish EPA - Better control of nanomaterials - Applications PAGE 11