Safe Nanotextiles from a Life Cycle Perspective

Enterprises aim to take advantage of the opportunities of new nanomaterials while producing safe products. A dose-effect relationship of the engineered nanoparticles has not yet been clearly established. From this viewpoint, a product will only be safe as long there is neither unintended release of engineered nanoparticles nor exposure to them during the product life cycle. In our study on textile applications, we found different integration modes as to how engineered nanoparticles could be integrated in textiles and be linked to the textile matrix. We analysed the factors that might influence the unintended release of engineered nanoparticles from textiles at some time in their life cycles. We conclude that release and exposure scenarios during the nanotextile life cycle depend on the design of the specific nanotextile. With our proposal we intend to provide a base for structuring further discussion on safe innovation for nanotextiles.