Exposure to carbon nanotube material: aerosol release during the handling of unrefined single-walled carbon nanotube material.
Carbon nanotubes represent a relatively recently discovered allotrope of carbon that exhibits unique properties. While commercial interest in the material is leading to the development of mass production and handling facilities, little is known of the risk associated with exposure. In a two-part study, preliminary investigations have been carried out into the potential exposure routes and toxicity of single-walled carbon nanotube material (SWCNT)--a specific form of the allotrope. The material is characterized by bundles of fibrous carbon molecules that may be a few nanometers in diameter, but micrometers in length. The two production processes investigated use-transition metal catalysts, leading to the inclusion of nanometer-scale metallic particles within unrefined SWCNT material. A laboratory-based study was undertaken to evaluate the physical nature of the aerosol formed from SWCNT during mechanical agitation. This was complemented by a field study in which airborne and dermal exposure to SWCNT was investigated while handling unrefined material. Although laboratory studies indicated that with sufficient agitation, unrefined SWCNT material can release fine particles into the air, concentrations generated while handling material in the field were very low. Estimates of the airborne concentration of nanotube material generated during handling suggest that concentrations were lower than 53 microg/m(3) in all cases. Glove deposits of SWCNT during handling were estimated at between 0.2 mg and 6 mg per hand.
Maynard
Andrew D
AD
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA. amaynard@cdc.gov
Baron
Paul A
PA
Foley
Michael
M
Shvedova
Anna A
AA
Kisin
Elena R
ER
Castranova
Vincent
V
D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation; D017575:Gloves, Protective; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D007834:Lasers; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009038:Motion; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D010316:Particle Size; D011208:Powders
D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011208:Powders