Airborne nanoparticles characterization

The objective of this section is to elucidate some of the current literature findings of environmental and health/safety issues with airborne nanoparticles. The Uterature review of the most recent articles in this area includes topics related to the multiple components of the risk assessment framework. This includes such important aspects as particle characteristics effecting toxicity, their fate and transport throughout the environment, the routes of exposure and the metrics by which exposure ought to be measured and the mechanisms of translocation to different parts of the body. In addition, recent studies are presented that involve the characterization of nanoparticles in the workplace during different operations and conditions. 

The purpose of this chapter is to present an overview of the current state of the literature regarding nanoparticles in the workplace and environment and their associated health effects as well as to provide the latest characterization techniques used to conduct airborne nanoscale particle measurement. In doing so, the advantages and disadvantages to the use of each of these characterization techniques are elucidated, while efforts are made to restrict the discussion to only those potential applications in industries utilizing nanotechnologies in their processes. 

In addition to obtaining information to perform a hazard and dose-response evaluation, an exposure assessment will need to be conducted to estimate and characterize any potential risks associated with nanomaterials. If the hazard identification process reveals that a nanomaterial is iimocuous and does not pose a potential for eliciting any adverse human health or environmental effects, it may not be necessary to conduct additional toxicological studies or an extensive exposure assessment. In cases where the hazard evaluation determines a potential for adverse effects for the nano-material, in vitro and/or in vivo studies may be conducted to evaluate the potential for systemic exposure from inhalation, oral, or dermal penetration. Such information may help to refine the exposure assessment by providing estimates of internal doses. Much of the published human toxicological and epidemiology data relate to airborne exposme to nanoparticles or ultrafine particles. However, there are additional routes by which humans can be exposed to nanomaterials that may need to be considered, including ... 

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