Nanomaterials are being used in various applications including environmental, medical, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Manufacturers of clothing articles employ nanosilver (n-Ag) as an antimicrobial agent, but the environmental impacts of n-Ag release from commercial products are unknown. Also, it is not known whether textiles (e.g. socks) containing silver particle retain their antimicrobial activity after the treatment with different stressors: types of water, redox conditions, etc. Toxicity and exposure data for silver nanoparticles is currently lacking. However, several studies have already demonstrated the toxicity of nanoparticle silver to various bacteria, suggesting that the antimicrobial effects of silver may be detrimental to aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, it is important to characterize (as colloidal or ionic) and quantify the silver released from commercial products as well as to research the antimicrobial activity of silver-containing fabrics at their end-of-life stage. The purpose of this study is to perform a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) to be used in the assessment of antimicrobial textiles containing nanoscale silver (Ag). The results of this assessment can be used to examine the trade-offs associated with using these products as alternatives to conventional consumer products such as antimicrobial foot powder.  The assessment includes all process steps from the extraction of raw materials to the final disposal of the nanoproduct upon loss of functionality.

Effect of washing on antimicrobial properties of textiles containing nanosilver particles

245th National Meeting (2013)

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