A standardized approach for the generation and characterization of aerosols released from composite nanomaterials in industrial scenarios

Details

• Personal Author:
  Cena L ; Erdely A ; Farcas D ; Kang J
• Description:
  Objective: Develop and test a standardized method for generation and characterization of particles released from composite nanomaterials undergoing mechanical stress. Methods: An adaptable system was developed to accommodate life-cycle events (e.g., sanding, sawing) for test materials and consumer products. The system consisted of a sand-blasting cabinet with HEPA-filtered air intakes. An electrical motor was exteriorized and connected to a pulley through a v-belt. Inside the cabinet, the pulley was connected to a shaft that could accommodate various types of equipment such as a belt sander, a saw blade or a drill chuck. A material feeder with constant force was constructed. The system was tested with a belt sander by sanding: 1) glass fiber/epoxy resin, 2) glass fiber/epoxy resin containing post-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), 3) epoxy resin, 4) epoxy resin containing MWCNTs, 5) epoxy resin containing glass-fiber-infused MWCNTs, 6) epoxy resin containing carbon black, and 7) epoxy resin containing carbon black and MWCNTs. Total number concentrations, respirable mass concentrations, and particle size number/mass distributions of the emitted particles were measured using a scanning mobility particle sizer, an optical particle counter and a condensation particle counter. Additionally, samples for electron microscopy analysis were collected with a thermophoretic sampler and filter samples. Measurements were taken in triplicate for each material with coarse (150 grit) and fine (320 grit) sandpaper. Results: The highest number concentrations (arithmetic mean = 2670 particle/cm3) were produced with coarse sandpaper, epoxy resin containing carbon black and MWCNTs. The lowest number concentrations (arithmetic mean = 600 particles/cm3) were produced with fine sandpaper, epoxy resin containing MWCNTs. The highest respirable mass concentrations (arithmetic mean = 1.01 mg/m3) were measured for fine sandpaper, epoxy resin containing MWCNTs and lowest (0.2 mg/m3) for coarse sandpaper, glass fiber/epoxy resin. Airborne particles were primarily micrometer sized with CNT protrusions. Conclusions: The system provides a replicable and adaptable method for characterizing the particles released during an industrial use scenario. In this example, the number concentration, mass concentration and number size distribution of airborne particles depended on the characteristics of the material being sanded and the sandpaper grit. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aerosols Air Pollutants, Occupational Epoxy Resins Occupational Health Particulate Matter Safety
• Keywords:
  Airborne Particles Airborne Particulates Carbon Black Carbon Nanotubes Epoxy Compounds Epoxy Resins Filters HEPA Filters High-efficiency Particulate Air Filters Nanomaterials Nanotechnology Particle Counters Particle Size Particle Sizers Particulates Samplers Sand Blasting

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• Publisher:
  American Industrial Hygiene Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Maryland ; OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  38
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20048251
• Citation:
  AIHce 2016: American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition Pathways to Progress, May 21-26, 2016, Baltimore, Maryland. Falls Church, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2016 May; :38
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2016
• NORA Priority Area:
  Manufacturing
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  AIHce 2016: American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition Pathways to Progress, May 21-26, 2016, Baltimore, Maryland
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:67ee32725724ab8dc7b34228f02148626b0ecb92fb68f9534caf208b0020f4e37eb32979be11ee2e9ec0936eb7f28406c5acab27c326f1e35854d58ee1070e6b
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/203056/cdc_203056_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.49 MB ]