LAUSR

Paint formulations are complex mixtures of both dissolved and particulate components, both organic and inorganic. Amorphous silica nanoparticles are included to make the paint layer dirt-repellent. Over entire life cycle of the paints containing such silica nanoparticles, however, their complex multicomponent composition may raise several concerns as to their hazard when exposed to humans and environment, notably due to the potential release of the incorporated nano-objects. To mitigate such concerns, several Safe-by-Design target specifications can be performed to provide revised/modified paint formulations with reduced potential risk. Within EU H2020 funded project, HARMLESS (grant agreement 953183), a specific industrial case study focuses on worker exposure measurement at the industrial production site of silane modified silica nanoparticles and consumer exposure measurement during sanding of the painted surfaces containing such silica nanoparticles. First results indicate that the tested paint samples (with and without silica nanoparticles) have strong tendencies to generate airborne nano-objects during their sanding. However, the fraction of silica in the overall chemical composition of the airborne nano-objects is currently being investigated. A fraction of the dust generated during the paint sanding is being analysed for its hazard via advanced in vitro approaches combined with a battery of toxicological endpoint analyses. Based on the results, if the exposure concentration of silica nanoparticles is found to be exceeding its nano reference value (i.e. 40,000 cm-3 TWA) and exhibits deleterious biological impact, the size and surface of silica nanoparticles will be modulated accordingly by keeping an optimum balance between their functionality and risk