Particle Emission and Exposure during Nanoparticle Synthesis in Research Laboratories

Abstract

Real-time size, mass and number particle concentrations, and emission rates in university laboratories producing nanoparticles by scalable flame spray pyrolysis are quantified. Measurements were conducted in four laboratories using various technological set-ups and during production of particles of a range of compositions with differing physical-chemical properties, from NaCl salt, BiPO 4 , CaSO 4 , Bi 2 O 3 , insoluble TiO 2 , SiO 2 , and WO 3 to composites such as Cu/ZnO, Cu/SiO 2 , Cu/ZrO 2 , Ta 2 O 5 /SiO 2 , and Pt/Ba/Al 2 O 3 . Production time ranged from 0.25 to 400 min and yields from 0.33 to 183 g. Temporal and spatial analyses of the particle concentrations were performed indicating that elevated number concentrations in the workplace can occur. Airborne submicron number concentrations increased from background levels of 2100 up to 106 000 cm 23 during production, while the mass concentration ranged from a background of 0.009 to 0.463 mg m 23. Maximum particle number emission rates amounted to 1.17 3 10 12 min 21. The size distributions displayed concentration peaks mainly between 110 and 180 nm. However, changes in the operating conditions and the production of certain nanoparticles resulted in concentration peaks in the nanoparticle size range <100 nm. The effectiveness and limitations of current technology in assessing researchers' exposure to nanoparticles during production are examined, and further measures for workers' protection are proposed.

Effects of flame made zinc oxide particles in human lung cells - a comparison of aerosol and suspension exposures

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“…in [8]). With special focus on gas – phase processes, exposure levels have been assessed during production of metal and composite particles by flame spray synthesis in an university laboratory [9], during the coating of glass compounds with CeO 2 particles derived from a flame spray process [10] and in a pilot scale particle production site [11]. As more general approach, Methner et al evaluated aerosol emissions caused by handling or synthesis of a set of different nanomaterials (e.g.…”

Prospective Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Nanosilver T-Shirts

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“…56 Exposure to nanoparticles via inhalation could occur during FSP production 50 but most likely not during the particle-textile incorporation process, which takes place in a closed system. 57 Exposure during PlaSpu is unlikely as nanoparticles are produced and incorporated in a vacuum.…”

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