Browsing by Author "Irfan, Adeel"
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Item Open Access Assessment of nanoparticle release and associated health effect of polymer-silicon composites(2014-04-15) Zhu, Huijun; Irfan, Adeel; Sachse, Sophia; Njuguna, JamesThe fast advancement in the nanotechnology and manufacturing of engineering nanomaterials has inevitably caused concerns over their impact on environment and human health. Little information is currently available on possible release of nanomaterials or/and nanoparticles (NP) from conventional and novel products and associated health effect. The NEPHH project funded under the EU FP7 programme is aimed to assess the environment and health impact of polymer-silicon nanocomposites in comparison to conventional polymer composites from life cycle perspective. As part of the NEPHH project, this study focused on assessing the possible release of NP during the application stage of conventional and nanoproducts. NP release was monitored during physical processing of polymer-silicon composites, and the toxicity of both the released NP and the raw silica nanomaterials that were used as fillers in nanocomposites was assessed in vitro using human lung epithelial A549 cells.Item Open Access The effect of nanoclay on dust generation during drilling process of polyamide 6 nanocomposites(Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2012-06-10T00:00:00Z) Sachse, Sophia; Silva, Francesco; Zhu, Huijun; Irfan, Adeel; Leszczynska, Agneska; Pielichowski, Krzysztof; Ermini, Valentina; Blazquez, Maria; Kuzmenko, Oleksandr; Njuguna, James A. K.During the past decade, polymer nanocomposites have emerged as a novel and rapidly developing class of materials and attracted considerable investment in research and development worldwide. However, there is currently a lack of information available in the literature on the nano and ultrafine particle emission rates from these materials. In this study, influence of nanoclay on mechanical drilling of PA6 composites, in terms of dust generation has been reported. With the help of real-time characterization, submicrometer-sized particles (5.6-512 nm) size distribution and number concentration emitted from polyamide 6/nanoclay composites during mechanical drilling is studied. Total particle concentration for the PA6/nanoclay composites was 20,000 cm-3, while unreinforced panel measured a total concentration of approximately 400,000 cm-3. While the airborne particle concentration for the PA6/ nanoclay composites was 20 times lower than for the PA6 matrix, the concentration of deposited nanoparticles doubled for the nanocomposite. The results clearly shows that more particles in the size range between 175-350 nm are generated, during drilling of the nanocomposites and this particles deposit in a shorter time. It is likely that the presence of nanoclay in some way retains the formation of high quantity of airborne particles and promotes particle deposition.Item Open Access In vitro analysis of nanoparticles released from polyamide nanomaterial composites during drilling process(2011-05-10T00:00:00Z) Irfan, Adeel; Sachse, Sophia; Njuguna, James A. K.; Zhu, Huijun; Crump, DerrickNanomaterials provide a new avenue of progress into technological development. By manipulating materials on the very basic atomic and molecular levels the property of a given material can be specifically altered to suit the purpose of intended applications. However, nanomaterials (nanoparticles and nanolayers) have a more complex nature in physiochemical properties and surface reactivity than their larger counterparts. Therefore, the release of these nanomaterials as dust during crushing or drilling may lead to serious health hazards for humans and the surrounding environment. This study, supported by the NEPHH (Nanomaterial-related Environmental Pollution Health Hazards), addresses two important questions about nanomaterials: - Whether nanomaterials can be released from physical process of nanoproducts. - Toxicity potential of nanodusts generated from nanoproducts in comparison with reference products. Both questions address a massive gap in knowledge for toxicity and more specifically nanomaterial toxicity.Item Open Access Safety assessment of novel polymer-silicon composites - from LCA perspective(Publications Office of the European Union, 2012-12) Zhu, Huijun; Irfan, Adeel; Sachse, Sophia; Njuguna, JamesThe fast growing trend in the development of novel materials with potential applications in many industrial sectors has caused concerns over the environment and human health effect of the emerging activities and associated products. It is imperative that these concerns are addressed in a holistic manner as early as possible. As part of the NEPHH project, this study applied the LCA concept aiming to identify hazardous nanoparticles (NP) that could be released during the development and application of novel products, focusing on polymeric-silicon composites in recognition of their attractions to a wide range of industries, including construct engineering, automotive and aerospace.