ABSTRACT
In the case nanowastes, the new emerging wastes, (Yan et al., 2010) there is a legal vacuum or loophole regarding how they must be managed and treated (NEPHH’S CONSORTIUM, 2012). In fact an official definition does not even exist, but in general we can distinguish between the following types: pure nanomaterials, items contaminated with nanomaterials (such as containers, wipes and disposable PPE), liquid suspensions containing nanomaterials and solid matrices with nanomaterials that are friable or have a nanostructure loosely attached to the surface that can reasonably be expected to break free or leach out, including wastes from decontamination processes and the debris from the clean-up of spillages or industrial accidents (including filters, wipes, absorbent mats and materials) (British Standards Institution (BSI), 2007; Department of Energy Nanoscale Science Research Centres, 2007; Environment Agency, 2005). In order to correctly handle and dispose of nanowastes specific regulations must be created, because nanomaterials certainly do not behave in the same way as normal wastes (Breggin & Pendergrass, 2007).
