[Occupational exposure to nanoparticles. Assessment of workplace exposure].
Nanotechnology is currently one of the most popular branch of science. It is a technology that enables designing, manufacturing and application of materials and structures of very small dimensions, and its products are applied in almost every field of life. Nanoparticles are the structures having one or more dimensions of the order of 100 nm or less. They are used in precise mechanics, electronics, optics, medicine, pharmacy, cosmetics and many other spheres. Due to their very small size, nanostructures have completely different and specific properties, unknown for the bulk of materials. Fast-growing nanotechnology provides a wide spectrum of applications, but it also brings about new and unknown danger to human health. Nanotechnology is the branch that has developed rather recently, and much information about health risk and its influence on the environment is beyond our knowledge. Nanoparticles, released in many technological processes, as well as manufactured nanoparticles can induce occupational hazards to workers. The lack of regulations and standards, compulsory in the manufacture and use ofnanoparticles is a fundamental problem faced in the evaluation of exposure. Another problem is the choice of proper measurement equipment for surveying of very small particles - their number, mass and surface area in the workpost air. In this article, the possibility and scope of exposure assessment is discussed and a brief specification of available instrumentation for counting and assessing the parameters essential for classifying the exposure to nanoparticles is presented.
Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera, Zakład Psychologii Pracy, Łódź. stellab@imp.lodz.pl
Stella
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Bujak-Pietrek
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000032:analysis*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*
D015386:Hazardous Substances; D052638:Particulate Matter