Back to Search Start Over

Exposure assessment and engineering control strategies for airborne nanoparticles: an application to emissions from nanocomposite compounding processes

Authors :
Candace Su-Jung Tsai
Carol Barry
Michael J. Ellenbecker
Cheng-Yu Huang
Chuen Jinn Tsai
Christian E. Munoz
David White
Henoc Rodriguez
Source :
Journal of Nanoparticle Research. 14
Publication Year :
2012
Publisher :
Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2012.

Abstract

In this study, nanoalumina and nanoclay particles were compounded separately with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polymer to produce nanocomposites using a twin-screw extruder to investigate exposure and effective controls. Nanoparticle exposures from compounding processes were elevated under some circumstances and were affected by many factors including inadequate ventilation, surrounding air flow, feeder type, feeding method, and nanoparticle type. Engineering controls such as improved ventilation and enclosure of releasing sources were applied to the process equipment to evaluate the effectiveness of control. The nanoparticle loading device was modified by installing a ventilated enclosure surrounding the loading chamber. Exposures were studied using designed controls for comparison which include three scenarios: (1) no isolation; (2) enclosed sources; and (3) enclosed sources and improved ventilation. Particle number concentrations for diameters from 5 to 20,000 nm measured by the Fast Mobility Particle Sizer and aerodynamic particle sizer were studied. Aerosol particles were sampled on transmission electron microscope grids to characterize particle composition and morphology. Measurements and samples were taken at the near- and far-field areas relative to releasing sources. Airborne particle concentrations were reduced significantly when using the feeder enclosure, and the concentrations were below the baseline when two sources were enclosed, and the ventilation was improved when using either nanoalumina or nanoclay as fillers.

Details

ISSN :
1572896X and 13880764
Volume :
14
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Journal of Nanoparticle Research
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........f6f171e353058e51bc12e2159581e6a5