Exposure to manufactured nanoparticles in different workplaces

Abstract

In potential nano-objects can be released into the workplace air during production, during the handling of nanopowders and during the treatment of end-products that contain manufactured nanomaterials. Experimental studies that could mimic the exposure processes revealed the formation of larger agglomerates after release. Studies conducted in workplaces confirmed this assumption, however, the data are still very scarce and not easily to compare due to differences in the format of reporting the data. Number-, mass-, and surface area concentrations are reported, however, currently an estimate of the potential for worker exposure is not possible. It is recommended that future workplace exposure studies will be conducted according to a more harmonized approach for analyzing and reporting of the results.