Nano-Metal Oxides: Exposure and Engineering Control Assessment

Details

• Personal Author:
  Eastlake A ; Garcia A ; Geraci, Charles L. ; Martinez, Kenneth F. ; Sparks C ; Topmiller, Jennifer L.
• Description:
  In January 2007, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a field study to evaluate process specific emissions during the production of ENMs. This study was performed using the nanoparticle emission assessment technique (NEAT). During this study, it was determined that ENMs were released during production and cleaning of the process reactor. Airborne concentrations of silver, nickel, and iron were found both in the employee's personal breathing zone and area samples during reactor cleaning. At the completion of this initial survey, it was suggested that a flanged attachment be added to the local exhaust ventilation system. NIOSH re-evaluated the facility in December 2011 to assess worker exposures following an increase in production rates. This study included a fully comprehensive emissions, exposure, and engineering control evaluation of the entire process. This study made use of the nanoparticle exposure assessment technique (NEAT 2.0). Data obtained from filter-based samples and direct reading instruments indicate that reactor cleanout increased the overall particle concentration in the immediate area. However, it does not appear that these concentrations affect areas outside of the production floor. As the distance between the reactor and the sample location increased, the observed particle number concentration decreased, creating a concentration gradient with respect to the reactor. The results of this study confirm that the flanged attachment on the local exhaust ventilation system served to decrease exposure potential. Given the available toxicological data of the metals evaluated, caution is warranted. One should always keep in mind that occupational exposure levels were not developed specifically for nanoscale particles. With data suggesting that certain nanoparticles may be more toxic than the larger counterparts of the same material; employers should attempt to control emissions of these particles at the source, to limit the potential for exposure. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Air Pollutants, Occupational Engineering Environmental Exposure Ferrous Compounds Metals Nickel Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Particulate Matter Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Silver Ventilation Workplace

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• Keywords:
  Airborne Particles Airborne Particulates Author Keywords: Nanomaterials Breathing Zone Emission Sources Employee Exposure Engineering Control Engineering Controls Exhaust Ventilation Exposure Assessment Exposure Levels Iron Iron Compounds Metal Compounds Metallic Compounds Metal Oxides Nanotechnology Nickel Compounds Risk Factors Sampling Silver Compounds Ventilation Systems Work Environment Workers

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• ISSN:
  1545-9624
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  OD - Office of the Director ; DART - Division of Applied Research and Technology ; EID - Education and Information Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  14
• Issue:
  9
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20049904
• Citation:
  J Occup Environ Hyg 2017 Sep; 14(9):727-737
• Contact Point Address:
  Alberto Garcia, US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, R5 Cincinnati, Ohio 45226
• Email:
  agarcia1@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2017
• NORA Priority Area:
  Manufacturing
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:963bd903f9c1be83695829dcefb280c2ecc3b7dc68da65dce86a35e789a1956c45776744a6f48f26a2baa97db8029395f3f3a7ae7bc5b69c2d8b3d37e28dfb5b
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/210499/cdc_210499_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.04 MB ]