Probabilistic modelling of nanobiomaterial release from medical applications into the environment

Nanobiomaterials (NBMs) are currently being tested in numerous biomedical applications, and their use is expected to grow rapidly the near future. Many different types of nanomaterials employed for a wide variety applications. Silver nanoparticles (nano-Ag) have been investigated antibacterial, antifungal, osteoinductive properties be used catheters, wound healing, dental bone healing. Polymeric such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) mainly studied ability deliver cancer drugs body metabolizes them into simple compounds. However, most these applications still development stage unavailable on market, meaning that information possible consumption, material flows, concentrations environment lacking. We thus modeled realistic scenario involving several nano-Ag PLGA which already or likely reach market soon. assumed full penetration Europe order explore prospective flows NBMs environmental concentrations. The potential three application-specific composite materials were also examined one precise application each: Fe3O4PEG-PLGA drug delivery, MgHA-collagen tissue engineering, PLLA-Ag applied Mean annual consumption Europe, considering all probable respective NBMs, was estimated 5,650 kg 48,000 PLGA. under 4,000 Fe3O4PEG-PLGA, 58 MgHA-collagen, 24,300 PLLA-Ag. A probabilistic material-flow model quantify from production, through use, end-of-life environment. highest worst-case predicted concentration (wc-PEC) found occur sewage sludge, with 0.2 µg/kg nano-Ag, 400 PLGA, 33 0.007 2.9 exhibited compartments except natural urban soil, where showed concentration. results distribution technical strongly dependent type application.