title: Exposure assessment of carbon nanotube manufacturing workplaces.
abstract: Seven CNT (carbon nanotube) handling workplaces were investigated for exposure assessment. Personal sampling, area sampling, and real-time monitoring using an SMPS (scanning mobility particle sizer), dust monitor, and aethalometer were performed to characterize the mass exposure, particle size distribution, and particle number exposure. No workplace was found to exceed the current ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) TLVs (threshold limit values) and OELs (occupational exposure levels) set by the Korean Ministry of Labor for carbon black (3.5 mg/m(3)), PNOS (particles not otherwise specified; 3 mg/m(3)), and asbestos (0.1 fiber/cc). Nanoparticles and fine particles were most frequently released after opening the CVD (chemical vapor deposition) cover, followed by catalyst preparation. Other work processes that prompted nanoparticle release included spraying, CNT preparation, ultrasonic dispersion, wafer heating, and opening the water bath cover. All these operation processes could be effectively controlled with the implementation of exposure mitigation, such as engineering control, except at one workplace where only natural ventilation was used.
authors.affiliation: Fusion Technology Research Institute, Hoseo University, Chungnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seung-Bok
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Gwi Nam
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Ki Soo
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Jin Uk
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Jun Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Jae Hyuck
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Byung Gyu
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jong Han
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jung Sun
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hyeon Yeong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chang Soo
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Il Je
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000032:analysis*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D010316:Particle Size; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D020711:Threshold Limit Values; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon