Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design Framework Based on a Prospective Life Cycle Assessment

Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design Framework Based on a Prospective Life Cycle Assessment: Lessons Learned from a Nano-Titanium Dioxide Case Study

Tsalidis, G.A. (TU Delft BT/Biotechnology and Society)
Soeteman-Hernández, Lya G. (Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM))
Noorlander, Cornelle W. (Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM))
Saedy, S. (TU Delft ChemE/Product and Process Engineering)
van Ommen, J.R. (TU Delft ChemE/Product and Process Engineering)
Vijver, Martina G. (Universiteit Leiden)
Korevaar, G. (TU Delft Energie and Industrie)

2022

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.

green deal
life cycle impact assessment
nanomaterial
P25-TiO
R&D developers
technological innovations
titanium dioxide nanomaterial
toxic-free environment

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:90ca7529-d899-44dc-bc55-efd0dcef7469

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074241

1661-7827

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (7)

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2022 G.A. Tsalidis, Lya G. Soeteman-Hernández, Cornelle W. Noorlander, S. Saedy, J.R. van Ommen, Martina G. Vijver, G. Korevaar