Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
2
Nanoparticle Exposures in
Occupational Environments
Li-Hao Young, Ying-Fang Wang, Ching-Hwa Chen,
Chun-Wan Chen, and Perng-Jy Tsai
CONTENTS
2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 49
2.2 Routes for Occupational Nanoparticle Exposures .................................................................. 50
2.2.1 Inhalation .................................................................................................................... 50
2.2.2 Dermal ........................................................................................................................ 52
2.2.3 Ingestion...................................................................................................................... 52
2.3 Exposure Assessment ............................................................................................................. 52
2.3.1 Exposure Metrics ........................................................................................................ 52
2.3.2 Measurement Instruments .......................................................................................... 53
2.3.2.1 Time-Integrated Measurements ................................................................... 54
2.3.2.2 Time-Resolved Measurements ..................................................................... 54
2.4 Occupational Nanoparticle Exposures in Various Industrial and
Developmental Laboratories ................................................................................................... 55
2.5 Hierarchy and Prudent Practices of Exposure Control and Management .............................. 56
2.5.1 Engineering Control ................................................................................................... 56
2.5.1.1 Elimination or Substitution .......................................................................... 60
2.5.1.2 Isolation and Containment ........................................................................... 61
2.5.1.3 Ventilation .................................................................................................... 61
2.5.2 Administrative Controls ............................................................................................. 62
2.5.2.1 Employee Training ....................................................................................... 62
2.5.2.2 Transfer, Labeling, and Storage ................................................................... 63
2.5.2.3 Housekeeping ............................................................................................... 63
2.5.2.4 Personal Hygiene .........................................................................................64
2.5.3 Personal Protective Equipment ................................................................................... 64
2.5.3.1 Respirator ..................................................................................................... 64
2.5.3.2 Protective Clothes, Gloves, and Other Equipment ...................................... 64
2.5.4 Fire and Explosion Control ......................................................................................... 65
2.5.5 Management of Nanomaterial Spills and Waste ........................................................ 65
2.5.6 Occupational Health Surveillance .............................................................................. 66
2.6 A Qualitative Risk-Based Control and Management Strategy: Control Banding .................. 67
2.7 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................. 68
References ........................................................................................................................................ 68
2.1 INTRODUCTION
Nanotechnology, as defined by the Interagency Subcommittee on Nanoscale Science, Engineering,
and Technology (NSET) of the U.S. Federal Office of Science and Technology Policy, is “research
and technology development at the atomic, molecular or macromolecular levels, in the length scale
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