An Evaluation of the Collection Characteristics and Usability Factors of Three Nanoparticle Samplers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Tsai CS-J
• Description:
  Occupational exposure to nanoparticles is a concern to occupational hygienists because of the potential health effects of exposure, the lack of standardized sampling methods and regulatory guidance for exposure limits. Exposure assessments for nanoparticles should include analysis of particles with an electron microscope to allow for identification of particle size, shape and composition. These information are critical to determine the potential health effect from exposure. Due to the need of proper sampling methods to quantify and characterize exposed nanoparticles, multiple aerosols were used in this study to compare collection by three handheld nanoparticle samplers designed to use transmission electron microscope grids for particle collection. These include the Tsai diffusion sampler (TDS), electrostatic precipitator (ESP), and thermophoretic personal sampler (TPS). Aerosols of sodium chloride, ISO fine test dust, and aluminum oxide were tested and the particle size fractions collected by the nanoparticle samplers were compared to show particle deposition on sampled microscope grids. In addition, the ease of use of three samplers has been assessed to provide qualitative evaluation on factors such as sampling time, grid type, ease of grid handling, sample stability, etc. The result has shown variations among three different samplers. The TDS collected more particles in a wider size range for the lowest concentration aerosol. The ESP sampled for much shorter time than the others but collected the most particles for two out of three aerosols. All steps of using three samplers were assessed using the usability questionnaire involved in sampler usage and rating the features of each device. The TDS and TPS were best suited for full shift sampling and the ESP best for short term. The TDS was the most affordable and can also collect larger particles on the filter to collect particles in micrometer sizes, which could better present such workplace exposure typically including agglomerates of nanoparticles. The TPS was the easiest device to use. Overall, results indicated that all samplers successfully collected three types of aerosols, with smaller differences in the size fractions they collected and larger differences in the number of particles per surface area of their collection media. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Aerosols Aluminum Compounds Aluminum Oxide Dust Environmental Exposure Occupational Health Particulate Matter Safety Surveys And Questionnaires Workplace
• Keywords:
  Aluminum Oxide Dusts Electron Microscopy Exposure Levels Exposure Limits Health Effects Nanoparticles Nanotechnology Particle Size Particulates Questionnaires Samplers Sampling Sampling Methods Sodium Compounds Work Environment

  More +
• Series:
  Grant Final Reports
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Final Grant Report
• Place as Subject:
  Colorado ; OSHA Region 8
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  OEP - Office of Extramural Programs
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-41
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20050904
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB2018-100587
• Citation:
  Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, R03-OH-010610, 2017 Nov; :1-41
• Contact Point Address:
  Dr. Candace Su-Jung Tsai, 1681 Campus Delivery, EH Room 153, Fort Collins CO, 80523-1681
• Email:
  Candace.Tsai@colostate.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  Alumina (CAS RN 1344-28-1) ; Sodium chloride (CAS RN 7647-14-5)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2018
• Performing Organization:
  Colorado State University
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20150901
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• End Date:
  20170831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:901ab65810dd954b061baccef911d04adc91ee32ee945e8ec5afb03da79578d3a0fa69eef51dd827ec28501afd0e9c7caf47107dc0199a3ede36902d38266e46
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/218675/cdc_218675_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 3.18 MB ]