Effects of Surface Hydrophobicity of Lab Coat Fabrics on Nanoparticle Attachment and Resuspension: Implications for Fabrics Used for Making Protective Clothing or Work Uniform

Details

• Personal Author:
  Fisher ER ; Hiyoto K ; Maksot A ; Reifenberger RG ; Sorna SM ; Tsai CS-J
• Description:
  Although nanoparticles have been incorporated in a range of applications, human exposure through surface contamination remains a concern and is under investigation. This is especially true in the context of industrial and research labs, where workers may become contaminated with nanoparticles. Development of appropriate personal protective equipment requires a deeper understanding of how nanoparticles interact with fabrics. The contamination and resuspension behavior of Al2O3, carbon black (CB), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with four common lab coat materials (100% cotton, 80/20 polyester/cotton blend, 100% polypropylene, and Tyvek) is presented in this study. To understand the effects of fabric weave pattern and surface chemistry on nanomaterial-fabric interactions, fabrics were treated with C3F8 or H2O(v) plasma to alter surface wettability while maintaining bulk morphology. Changes in surface chemistry and wettability were measured using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and water contact angle goniometry on untreated and plasma-treated materials. Contamination and release of nanomaterials were quantified by monitoring the change in mass after contamination and shaking of the fabrics and using scanning electron microscopy image analysis. Overall, the lowest contamination levels arose from exposure to CNTs. Plasma treatment results in differential contamination, with the H2O(v) plasma-treated fabrics demonstrating the lowest CB contamination, whereas the lowest Al2O3 contamination and resuspension occurs with the C3F8-plasma treated cotton. A complex mechanism for nanoparticle interaction with fabrics involving surface chemistry, morphology, and intermolecular forces is discussed. Notably, different surface treatments resulting in materials repellent to airborne particles could be used in treating fabrics used for making protective clothing or work uniforms to minimize the contamination and spread of unwanted particles. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aerosols Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Protective Clothing Safety
• Keywords:
  Aerosol Particles Author Keywords: Plasma Treatment Carbon Nanotube Contamination Fabrics Hydrophobicity Materials Testing Morphology Nanoparticle Nanoparticles Particle Aerodynamics Personal Protective Equipment PPE Protective Clothing Repel Surface Property

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• ISSN:
  2574-0970
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  California ; Colorado ; Indiana ; New Mexico ; OSHA Region 5 ; OSHA Region 6 ; OSHA Region 8 ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  6
• Issue:
  9
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20069659
• Citation:
  ACS Appl Nano Mater 2023 May; 6(9):7384-7394
• Contact Point Address:
  Candace Su-Jung Tsai, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
• Email:
  candacetsai@ucla.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2023
• Performing Organization:
  University of California Los Angeles
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20201107
• Source Full Name:
  ACS Applied Nano Materials
• End Date:
  20210914
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:76ad62fee42aa6ff7d57666fde361cc7b75c10c311017373cbeb48800903f38ac040130bb1e3b446d271bca896225dc828a825ce5760af44f63064963dee72fb
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/208042/cdc_208042_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 6.16 MB ]