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

Georgios Archimidis Tsalidis, Lya G. Soeteman-Hernández, Cornelle W. Noorlander, Saeed Saedy, J. Ruud van Ommen, Martina G. Vijver and Gijsbert Korevaar
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Georgios Archimidis Tsalidis: Engineering Systems and Services Department, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology, 2628 BX Delft, The Netherlands
Lya G. Soeteman-Hernández: Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
Cornelle W. Noorlander: Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
Saeed Saedy: Chemical Engineering Department, Applied Sciences Faculty, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
J. Ruud van Ommen: Chemical Engineering Department, Applied Sciences Faculty, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
Martina G. Vijver: Institute of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
Gijsbert Korevaar: Engineering Systems and Services Department, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology, 2628 BX Delft, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-16

Abstract: 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-TiO 2 ) or a modified nano-coated version (Cu 2 O-coated/P25-TiO 2 ) 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.

Keywords: toxic-free environment; nanomaterial; life cycle impact assessment; titanium dioxide nanomaterial; R&D developers; green deal; technological innovations; P25-TiO 2 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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