Dip coating of air purifier ceramic honeycombs with photocatalytic TiO nanoparticles: A case study for occupational exposure.

Nanoscale TiO (nTiO) is manufactured in high volumes and is of potential concern in occupational health. Here, we measured workers exposure levels while ceramic honeycombs were dip coated with liquid photoactive nanoparticle suspension and dried with an air blade. The measured nTiO concentration levels were used to assess process specific emission rates using a convolution theorem and to calculate inhalation dose rates of deposited nTiO particles. Dip coating did not result in detectable release of particles but air blade drying released fine-sized TiO and nTiO particles. nTiO was found in pure nTiO agglomerates and as individual particles deposited onto background particles. Total particle emission rates were 420×10min, 1.33×10μmmin, and 3.5mgmin respirable mass. During a continued repeated process, the average exposure level was 2.5×10cm, 30.3μmcm, <116μgm for particulate matter. The TiO average exposure level was 4.2μgm, which is well below the maximum recommended exposure limit of 300μgm for nTiO proposed by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. During an 8-hour exposure, the observed concentrations would result in a lung deposited surface area of 4.3×10cmg of lung tissue and 13μg of TiO to the trachea-bronchi, and alveolar regions. The dose levels were well below the one hundredth of the no observed effect level (NOEL) of 0.11cmg for granular biodurable particles and a daily no significant risk dose level of 44μgday. These emission rates can be used in a mass flow model to predict the impact of process emissions on personal and environmental exposure levels.