Occupational Exposure to Silica Nanoparticles: Evaluation of Emission Fingerprints by Laboratory Simulations

Claudio Natale, Riccardo Ferrante, Fabio Boccuni (), Francesca Tombolini, Maria Sabrina Sarto and Sergio Iavicoli
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Claudio Natale: Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00184 Rome, Italy
Riccardo Ferrante: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Monte Porzio Catone, I-00078 Rome, Italy
Fabio Boccuni: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Monte Porzio Catone, I-00078 Rome, Italy
Francesca Tombolini: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Monte Porzio Catone, I-00078 Rome, Italy
Maria Sabrina Sarto: Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, I-00184 Rome, Italy
Sergio Iavicoli: Directorate General for Communication and European and International Relations, Italian Ministry of Health, Lungotevere Ripa 1, I-00153 Rome, Italy

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 16, 1-11

Abstract: Silica nanoparticles (SiO 2 NPs), due to their chemical-physical properties, are among the most widely produced nanomaterials (NMs) in the world, and therefore used in a wide range of industries. Such widespread use, however, draws attention to the health of workers during the production of such NMs and the need for techniques to assess occupational exposure. In the present study, laboratory simulation techniques were used to reproduce a critical work activity in a controlled environment in order to identify emission profiles useful for studying exposure during NM handling in the workplace. Weighing activity inside a glove box isolated from the external environment background and any pollutants was simulated. Real-time instrumentation was used to calculate the concentration, size distribution and surface area of the particles generated during the simulation, and time-integrated instrumentation was used to collect dust for off-line analysis.

Keywords: nanomaterials; silica nanoparticles; exposure monitoring; occupational safety and health; laboratory simulations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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