National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA.
J Occup Environ Hyg. 2011 Oct;8(10):580-7. doi: 10.1080/15459624.2011.613348.
This study presents exposure data for various metal oxides in facilities that produce or use nanoscale metal oxides. Exposure assessment surveys were conducted at seven facilities encompassing small, medium, and large manufacturers and end users of nanoscale (particles <0.1 μm diameter) metal oxides, including the oxides of titanium, magnesium, yttrium, aluminum, calcium, and iron. Half- and full-shift sampling consisting of various direct-reading and mass-based area and personal aerosol sampling was employed to measure exposure for various tasks. Workers in large facilities performing handling tasks had the highest mass concentrations for all analytes. However, higher mass concentrations occurred in medium facilities and during production for all analytes in area samples. Medium-sized facilities had higher particle number concentrations in the air, followed by small facilities for all particle sizes measured. Production processes generally had the highest particle number concentrations, particularly for the smaller particles. Similar to particle number, the medium-sized facilities and production process had the highest particle surface area concentration. TEM analysis confirmed the presence of the specific metal oxides particles of interest, and the majority of the particles were agglomerated, with the predominant particle size being between 0.1 and 1 μm. The greatest potential for exposure to workers occurred during the handling process. However, the exposure is occurring at levels that are well below established and proposed limits.
本研究提供了在生产或使用纳米级金属氧化物的设施中各种金属氧化物的暴露数据。在七个设施中进行了暴露评估调查，这些设施包括生产纳米级（粒径<0.1μm）金属氧化物的小型、中型和大型制造商以及终端用户，其中包括钛、镁、钇、铝、钙和铁的氧化物。采用半和全班采样，包括各种直接读数和基于质量的区域和个人气溶胶采样，以测量各种任务的暴露情况。从事处理工作的大型设施中的工人所有分析物的质量浓度最高。然而，在所有分析物的区域采样中，中等规模的设施和生产过程中出现了更高的质量浓度。在所有测量的粒径中，中规模设施的空气中具有更高的颗粒数浓度，其次是小设施。生产过程通常具有最高的颗粒数浓度，特别是对于较小的颗粒。与颗粒数相似，中规模设施和生产过程具有最高的颗粒表面积浓度。TEM 分析证实了存在特定的金属氧化物颗粒，并且大多数颗粒是团聚的，主要粒径在 0.1 至 1μm 之间。工人接触过程中存在最大的暴露风险。但是，暴露水平远低于既定和提议的限值。
