Controlling Nanoparticle Exposures

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Often, assessing nanoparticle exposures establishes a need to control the exposures should they present unacceptable risks to human health. This chapter focuses on control measures for airborne nanoparticles in work environments. It discusses the hierarchy of control measures and ways to prioritize control options within that hierarchy. The suitability of different types of control measures for reducing nanoparticle exposures is considered. Local exhaust ventilation is the most important engineering control for reducing worker exposures to airborne nanoparticles. Ventilated enclosures that surround nanoparticle sources are better at controlling exposures than exterior hoods that must draw the nanoparticles in after they are released. Filters are the best air pollution control devices to capture nanoparticles from moving air streams. Work practices can minimize worker exposures to nanoparticles. Energy input should be minimized when transferring nanomaterials. In particular, the height that nanopowders are dropped should be reduced wherever feasible.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAssessing Nanoparticle Risks to Human Health
PublisherElsevier
Pages167-193
Number of pages27
ISBN (Electronic)9781437778632
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2011

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Air pollution control devices
  • Criteria for prioritizing control options
  • Form of nanomaterials
  • The hierarchy of control
  • Work practices for handling nanomaterial

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