Nanosafety at the Workplace: Exposure Control for Nanoparticles

Background. In the present situation, when production and use of nanomaterials are developing very quickly, assessment of risks in the field of nanotechnologies, hygienic regulation, exposure control for nanomaterials at workplace became a task of high priority. All of these require an assessment of workers’ exposure to nanoparticles in occupational settings. Objective. To determine nanoparticle emission to the air of the working zone in different work activities and to evaluate modern methods of the exposure control if nanomaterials at workplace. Materials and Methods. A concentration of nanoparticles in the air of the working zone was measured by the diffusion aerosol spectrometer DAS-2702. Chemical analysis of the samples was conducted by ICP-AES method on the spectrometer Optima 2100 DV, Perkin-Elmer, USA. Results. Our own experimental results showed that nanoparticle emission to the air of the working zone may occur in processes, in which nanomaterials are involved, as well as traditional processes, which are not related to nanomaterial processing or production. According to levels of nanoparticle emissions to the air of the working zone, the E-beam synthesis in vacuum of metal nanostructure powders as well as traditional industrial process (electric welding, secondary lead melting, use of advanced dental materials in medical practice) are the most potentially dangerous. Conclusions. Nanoparticle emission in the air of the working zone may occur in both nanotechnological and traditional processes. An exposure control is necessary in both situations and requires modern measuring devices and specially developed sampling methods.