Particle release fromrefit operations in shipyards: Exposure, toxicity and environmental implications

European harbours are known to contribute to air quality degradation.While most of the literature focuses on emissions from stacks or logistics operations, ship refit and repair activities are also relevant aerosol sources in EU harbour areas. Main activities include abrasive removal of filler and spray painting with antifouling coatings/primers/topcoats. This work aimed to assess ultrafine particle (UFP) emissions from ship maintenance activities and their links with exposure, toxicity and health risks for humans and the aquatic environment. Aerosol emissions were monitored during mechanical abrasion of surface coatings under real-world operating conditions in two scenarios in the Mallorca harbour (Spain). Different types of UFPs were observed: (1) highly regular (triangular, hexagonal) engineered nanoparticles (Ti-, Zr-, Fe-based), embedded as nano-additives in the coatings, and (2) irregular, incidental particles emitted directly or formed during abrasion. Particle number concentrationsmonitored were in the range of industrial activities such as drilling or welding (up to 5 ∗ 105/cm3, mean diameters <30 nm). The chemical composition of PM4 aerosols was dominated by metallic tracers in the coatings (Ti, Al, Ba, Zn). In vitro toxicity of PM2 aerosols evidenced reduced cell viability and a moderate potential for cytotoxic effects. While best practices (exhaust ventilation, personal protective equipment, dust removal) were in place, it is unlikely that exposures and environmental release can be fully avoided at all times. Thus, it is advisable that health and safety protocols should be comprehensive to minimise exposures in all types of locations (near- andfar-field) and periods (activity and non-activity). Potential release to coastal surface waters of metallic engineered and incidental nanomaterials, as well as fine and coarse particles (in the case of settled dust), should be assessed and avoided

Health risk assessment from exposure to particles during packing in working environments

Packing of raw materials in work environments is a known source of potential health impacts (respiratory, cardiovascular) due to exposure to airborne particles. This activity was selected to test different exposure and risk assessment tools, aiming to understand the effectiveness of source enclosure as a strategy to mitigate particle release. Worker exposure to particle mass and number concentrations was monitored during packing of 7 ceramic materials in 3 packing lines in different settings, with low (L), medium (M) and high (H) degrees of source enclosure. Results showed that packing lines L and M significantly increased exposure concentrations (119-609 μg m-3 respirable, 1150-4705 μg m-3 inhalable, 24755-51645 cm-3 particle number), while nonsignificant increases were detected in line H. These results evidence the effectiveness of source enclosure as a mitigation strategy, in the case of packing of ceramic materials. Total deposited particle surface area during packing ranged between 5.4-11.8x105 μm2 min-1, with particles depositing mainly in the alveoli (51-64%) followed by head airways (27-41%) and trachea bronchi (7-10%). The comparison between the results from different risk assessment tools (Stoffenmanager, ART, NanoSafer) and the actual measured exposure concentrations evidenced that all of the tools overestimated exposure concentrations, by factors of 1.5-8. Further research is necessary to bridge the current gap between measured and modelled health risk assessments

Particle release from refit operations in shipyards: Exposure, toxicity and environmental implications

European harbours are known to contribute to air quality degradation. While most of the literature focuses on emissions from stacks or logistics operations, ship refit and repair activities are also relevant aerosol sources in EU harbour areas. Main activities include abrasive removal of filler and spray painting with antifouling coatings/primers/topcoats. This work aimed to assess ultrafine particle (UFP) emissions from ship maintenance activities and their links with exposure, toxicity and health risks for humans and the aquatic environment. Aerosol emissions were monitored during mechanical abrasion of surface coatings under real-world operating conditions in two scenarios in the Mallorca harbour (Spain). Different types of UFPs were observed: (1) highly regular (triangular, hexagonal) engineered nanoparticles (Ti-, Zr-, Fe-based), embedded as nano-additives in the coatings, and (2) irregular, incidental particles emitted directly or formed during abrasion. Particle number concentrations monitored were in the range of industrial activities such as drilling or welding (up to 5 ∗ 105/cm3, mean diameters <30 nm). The chemical composition of PM4 aerosols was dominated by metallic tracers in the coatings (Ti, Al, Ba, Zn). In vitro toxicity of PM2 aerosols evidenced reduced cell viability and a moderate potential for cytotoxic effects. While best practices (exhaust ventilation, personal protective equipment, dust removal) were in place, it is unlikely that exposures and environmental release can be fully avoided at all times. Thus, it is advisable that health and safety protocols should be comprehensive to minimise exposures in all types of locations (near- and far-field) and periods (activity and non-activity). Potential release to coastal surface waters of metallic engineered and incidental nanomaterials, as well as fine and coarse particles (in the case of settled dust), should be assessed and avoided.This work was carried out in the framework of project IDEALPORT (RTI2018-098095-B-C21). It was also supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Project CEX2018-000794-S) and by AGAUR (project 2017 SGR41). The authors gratefully acknowledge the extensive knowledge of harbour operations and on-site technical support provided by Global Yatching Group plc.Peer reviewe

Environmental release of engineered nanoparticles from shipyard activities

Particle research in harbour areas typically focuses on ship (stack) or vehicular exhaust emissions, while high particle emissions may also occur from other harbour operations such as vessel refurbishment activities. The literature regarding these activities is scarce, especially in terms of particle chemical composition and toxicity. The aim of this work was to characterize the chemical composition and toxicity of particles released during vessel refit operations. Airborne particle samples were collected inside the tents where abrasion of primer and top-coat paints with mechanical abraders took place in the Mallorca shipyard (Spain), during two experimental campaigns. On-line and offline aerosol instruments were placed at different monitoring locations to measure particle mass concentration and concentrations, particle size distribution, chemical composition, morphology and cytotoxicity. Aerosol chemical composition of PM0.25, PM2.5, PM4 and PM10 was characterized using impaction cyclones. ELPI was used to obtain a more detailed composition from 0.02 ¿m to 10 ¿m. PM2 aerosols were sampled with a Biosampler, and in vitro analysis was performed with A549 lung cells. Particle morphology was determined by TEM. The dustiness index of the powders generated was determined using the rotating drum method.This work was carried out in the framework of project IDAEALPORT (RTI2018-098095-BC21)

Health risk assessment from exposure to particles during packing in working environments

Packing of raw materials in work environments is a known source of potential health impacts (respiratory, cardiovascular) due to exposure to airborne particles. This activity was selected to test different exposure and risk assessment tools, aiming to understand the effectiveness of source enclosure as a strategy to mitigate particle release. Worker exposure to particle mass and number concentrations was monitored during packing of 7 ceramic materials in 3 packing lines in different settings, with low (L), medium (M) and high (H) degrees of source enclosure. Results showed that packing lines L and M significantly increased exposure concentrations (119–609 μg m−3 respirable, 1150–4705 μg m−3 inhalable, 24,755–51,645 cm−3 particle number), while non-significant increases were detected in line H. These results evidence the effectiveness of source enclosure as a mitigation strategy, in the case of packing of ceramic materials. Total deposited particle surface area during packing ranged between 5.4 and 11.8 × 105 μm2 min−1, with particles depositing mainly in the alveoli (51–64%) followed by head airways (27–41%) and trachea bronchi (7–10%). The comparison between the results from different risk assessment tools (Stoffenmanager, ART, NanoSafer) and the actual measured exposure concentrations evidenced that all of the tools overestimated exposure concentrations, by factors of 1.5–8. Further research is necessary to bridge the current gap between measured and modelled health risk assessments.This research was founded by the Spanish MINECO (CGL2015-66777-C2-1-R, 2-R), Generalitat de Catalunya AGAUR 2017 SGR41, the Spanish Ministry of the Environment (13CAES006), and FEDER (European Regional Development Fund) “Una manera de hacer Europa”. Additional support was provided by caLIBRAte project funded by the European Union‘s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 686239. M.C. Minguillón acknowledges the Ramón y Cajal Fellowship awarded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness. The authors also acknowledge the company in which the measurements were carried out for their support. The authors declare no conflict of interest relating to the material presented in this article.Peer reviewe

Occupational exposure to nanoparticles: monitoring and management in industrial settings

Resumen del trabajo presentado al 8th International Symposium on Nanotechnology, Occupational and Environmental Health, celebrado en Elsinore (Dinamarca) del 29 de mayo al 1 de junio de 2017.Inhalation exposure to particles is a well known health hazard, with nanoparticles (<100 nm) being an especially harmful component due to their ability to penetrate deep into the respiratory tract (Strak et al., 2012; Meng et al., 2013). Recent research in the aerosol field has developed a strong focus on the characterisation of nanoparticle release and exposure scenarios, with the aim to minimise and/or manage potential health risks. Industrial settings are an especially interesting source of potential exposure scenarios, due to the large variability of processes (mechanical, thermal, etc.) and input and output materials (engineered nanoparticles, micron sized powders, etc.) involved, as well as the variety of mitigation measures implemented. This work aims to present an overview of exposure scenarios, and their related nanoparticle emissions, characterised under real world operating conditions in industrial plants and pilot plants. Examples of the industrial processes evaluated are ceramic tile sintering in conventional and laser furnaces, ceramic tile ablation, atmospheric plasma spraying, inkjet printing with engineered nanoparticles, engineered nanoparticle handling as additives, spray drying, ceramic tile shaping, and mechanical processing of raw materials. Results evidenced a wide range of particle emission concentrations between 104/cm3 and 106/cm3 in terms of particle number concentration, as well as high concentrations in terms of mass (102 104μgPM2.5/m3) and lung deposited surface area (up to 5000 μm2/cm3). The in depth characterisation in each setting evidenced the engineered and non engineered nature of the nanoparticles, thus highlighting the relevance of the processes themselves as sources of nanoparticle emissions and occupational exposures. Nanoparticle emission mechanisms differed for each process under study, including particle formation by nucleation and direct emission of primary particles, as well as particle growth. When implemented, the effectiveness of mitigation strategies was assessed. Where unavailable, risk prevention protocols were proposed and implemented. Over all, our work evidences the relevance of occupational exposure to nanoparticles in industrial settings and the need for specific real world studies on this topic, given the highly specific nature of each process under study. A link with risk assessment modelling is also necessary, in view of model validation and extrapolation of the experimental results obtained.Peer Reviewe

Safe production and use of nanomaterials in the ceramic industry: the CERASAFE project

The ceramic industry is a growing industrial sector, which is benefitting from advances made available through nanotechnology and a number of innovative industrial processes. However, production of nanomaterials, including the manufacture and use of nanoceramics, cannot be considered safe without a thorough investigation regarding exposure and toxicity of nanoceramic materials, which is a current research gap. This requires better knowledge of workers’ exposure in the ceramic sector and during nanoceramics manufacturing, handling and processing, which will firstly require the understanding of exposure scenarios. In this framework, the ERANET-SIINN project CERASAFE aims to assess and improve environmental health and safety (EHS) in the ceramic industry. The objective of this project is to study industrial processes and activities which may generate nanoparticle emissions into workplace air, and to assess worker exposure by evaluating the particle release processes, characterizing the emitted particles, and understanding their toxicity.N/