The Use of Engineered Nanomaterials in Environmental Remediation: Environmental, Health, and Regulatory Issues

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1 The Use of Engineered Nanomaterials in Environmental Remediation: Environmental, Health, and Regulatory Issues Tennessee Environmental Conference March 26, 2014 Gregory Nichols, MPH, CPH Health Research Associate ORAU 1

2 Outline Overview Types of materials Sites Environmental and health concerns Regulations Scientific and legal gaps 2

3 What is nanotechnology? Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter between 1 and 100 nm Yokel and MacPhail,

4 Soil and groundwater remediation The removal of contaminants from environmental media for the protection of human health/environment or for redevelopment 4

5 Nanoremediation basics Nanoremediation = The application of reactive nanomaterials for transformation and detoxification of pollutants (Karn et al., 2009) Nanotechnology is being used across the country at Superfund and other hazardous waste sites Introduced as a theoretical approach in 2000 Taken off more than expected Still not mainstream, yet Has been used at approx. 60 sites around the world Shows promise but still relatively untested First 15 years focused on application Shift towards understanding implications 5

6 Types of materials used Nanomaterials Examples Remediation Uses BNPs and zero-valent iron Metal oxides NPs Nanometals Ni; Au; Pd/Pt; BNPs; nzvi Waters Sediments TiO2; ZnO; CeO Soils Hydrocarbons Ag Carbonaceous NPs MWCNT; nanoporous activated carbon fibers (ACFs) Sorption of metals (Cd; Pb; Cu) Sorption of BTX Nano-clays/zeolites Na6Al6 Si10 12 H2O Sorption/ion exchange for metals Carbon-based dendrimers Hyper-branched polymers PAHs; ultra-filtration of heavy metals 6

7 Sites using nanoremediation Approximately 30 sites currently using/testing nanoremediation techniques 7

8 Select nanoremediation sites City, State Contaminant Nanomaterial Lakehurst, NJ DCE, VC, PCE, TCE, TCA BNP Bridgeport, OH DCE, VC, TCE Palladium-Silica Ringwood, NJ Heating oil Nano-Ca Cape Canaveral, FL TCE EZVI Santa Maria, CA TCE, DCE Nano-porous Fe Dayton, OH TCE, PCE nzvi-silica hybrid Edison, NJ Rochester, NY TCA, TCE, DCA, DCE, chloroethane, VC Methylene chloride; 1,2-DGP; 1,2-DCA nzvi nzvi Trenton, NJ DCE, VC, PCE, TCE, CCl4; 1,1- DCE, chlorofrom Fe/Pd 8

9 Environmental Risks Uptake of nanoparticles by Plants Fungi Aquatic organisms Microbes Smaller terrestrial organisms Potentially ecotoxic Alter soil ph Phototoxicity Bioaccumulation 9

10 Health Issues Occupational Respiratory Cardiovascular Neurological Genotoxic Hepatic/Renal Community/Population Recreational/drinking water contamination Bioaccumulation Perception of risk 10

11 Potential Impact Trojan Horse effect Contaminants could rebound Free radical creation Shape, size, reactivity of particles complicated chemistry (lots of unknowns) 11

12 Current Regulations No nano-specific regulations exist US Agencies are adapting existing regs/guidelines to nanotechnologies DOL/OSHA EPA Occupational Safety and Health Act (1970) HAZCOM (29 CFR ) Toxic Substances Control Act (1976) Clean Water Act (1970) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (1976) Safe Drinking Water Act (1974) Clean Air Act (1970) 12

13 Current Regulations (cont d) Europe Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Global Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) International Organization for Standardization (ISO) World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines 13

14 Research needs Continued remediation technology development Smart nanoparticles Detection equipment (tracking/monitoring) Delivery systems Tools for characterizing complex subsurface conditions Biological assessment capabilities Modeling Cytotoxic assays Health/Environmental studies Nanomaterial life-cycle Risk management 14

15 Recommended actions Development of standard best practices Standard protocol for site characterization Registry/medical surveillance for workers Database(s) for tracking nanomaterial types/quantities Development of protocol for verifying cleanup of spent nanomaterials needs to be developed Sharing of human health/ecological data Long-term studies of ecosystem impact State regulations/updated federal statutes 15

16 Summary While nanoremediation appears to be a very promising technology, many questions remain unanswered Chemical Fate and transport Toxicity/Human health Containment/Recovery of materials Ecotoxicity Community health A cautious approach is recommended Cooperation between industry, academia, and government is crucial 16

17 Thank You! Gregory Nichols, MPH, CPH Health Research Associate ORAU Occupational Exposure and Worker Health Programs Ph: (865)