Exposures to ultrafine dust due to naturally emitted and incidentally generated nanoscale particles are already known. The exposure to specifically engineered nanomaterials is a topic of actual interest. Keeping in mind the special and heterogeneous spectrum of exposure, exposed individuals underwent detailed examinations in our institute and at their workplace. We also analysed the chemical nanotechnology work sites

Berger, Hendrik

Buchter, Axel

Kraegeloh, Annette

Mittmann-Frank, Michaela

Wennemuth, Gunther

Scientific documents from the Saarland University,

Exposures in Chemical Nanotechnology
Michaela MITTMANN-FRANK1, Hendrik BERGER1, Annette KRAEGELOH2,
Gunther WENNEMUTH3 and Axel BUCHTER1
1Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeitsmedizin der Universität des Saarlandes und
Präventivmedizinisches Zentrum für arbeits- und umweltbedingte Erkrankungen, 
Leiter: Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Axel Buchter, 
Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Gebäude 80.2, 66421 Homburg/Saar,
email: amabuc@uniklinikum-saarland.de
2INM-Leibniz-Institut für Neue Materialien gGmbH, Campus D2 2, 66123 Saarbrücken
3Institut für Anatomie und Zellbiologie der Universität des Saarlandes, 
Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Gebäude 61, 66421 Homburg/Saar
INTRODUCTION
Exposures to ultrafine dust due to naturally emitted and incidentally 
generated nanoscale particles are already known. The exposure to 
specifically engineered nanomaterials is a topic of actual interest.
Keeping in mind the special and heterogeneous spectrum of exposure, 
exposed individuals underwent detailed examinations in our institute 
and at their workplace. We also analysed the chemical nanotechnology 
work sites.
METHODS
The measurement of number concentrations of ultrafine and nano
particles during representative activities was carried out using the 
handheld condensation particle counter (CPC, TSI GmbH, Aachen, 
Germany). This model is capable to count single particles at 
concentrations as high as 105 pt/cm³, detecting particles in a size 
range between 10 and 1.000 nm. 
Occupational activities included production, modification of surface 
and further processing of oxide nano particles with primary particle 
size of < 10 to 100 nm e.g. ZrO2, SiO2, Al2O3, CeO2, Ce2(MoO4)3 and 
TiO2.
Simultaneously, dust particle samples of indoor air were collected, 
visualized and analysed by REM and EDX.
RESULTS
Measurement of number concentrations of ultrafine and engineered
nano particles allowed the evaluation of maximum concentrations 
compared to background levels.
Background concentrations of 4.000 to 10.000 pt/cm³ did not change 
during filling of small amounts of nano particle powder (figures 1 & 2).
Filling of larger quantities resulted in short-term maxima of 15.700 
pt/cm³ (within the fume-hood) versus 16.400 pt/cm³ (without deduction, 
figures 3 & 4). 
While spray-painting a nano particle containing formulation maximum 
concentrations of up to 140.000 pt/cm³ have been documented - the 
user was wearing a protective mask. Measuring within this mask only 
maxima < 10 pt/cm³ were detected - even during spray-painting 
(figures 5 - 7).
More than 30 minutes after short-term maxima, background levels 
remained at concentrations of 30.000 pt/cm³ - indicating an inhalation 
exposure with potential hazards when the mask is removed early 
(figure 8).
Using REM and EDX nanoscaled particles of Zirconium were 
visualized and identified (figures 9 & 10).
CONCLUSION
At present particle concentration levels at work sites during different 
uses of nano particles have shown no high peak concentrations. Spray-
painting with nano particles is an exception – however the user is fully 
protected by wearing personal protective equipment.
Figures 1 & 2:
Filling of nano particle containing
powder.
Figures 3 & 4:
Processing of larger quantities of 
nanomaterials – measurement
of particles carried out using
the CPC 3007.
Figures 5 & 6: Spray-painting
using a nano particle containing
formulation.
Figure 7:
Protective respiratory mask.
Figure 9: REM-analysis of yttrium stabilized ZrO2.
Element Wt% At%
C 18,74 69,52
O 1,52 4,24
Zr 4,92 2,40
La 14,35 4,40
Ce 60,47 19,23
Figure 10: EDX-analysis: Presence of Zirconium.
Figure 8: Measurement profile: Spray-painting.
The investigations were supported by the Ministry of Economy and Science and the Saarland University. 
LITERATURE
Auffan M, Rose J, Bottero JY, Lowry GV, Jolivet JP, Wiesner MR (2009) Towards a definition of inorganic nanoparticles from an environmental, health and safety perspective. Nature Nanotechnology 4: 634-641.
Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit (2007) Verhalten, Vorkommen und gesundheitliche Aspekte von Feinstäuben in Innenräumen. Band 17: 1-113.
Buchter A (Hrsg. 2000 - 2009): Diagnostik arbeitsbedingter Erkrankungen und arbeitsmedizinisch-diagnostische Tabellen. Medizinische Fakultät der Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, www.uniklinikum-saarland.de/arbeitsmedizin.
DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) (1998). Gesundheitsschädliche Arbeitsstoffe. Toxikologisch-arbeitsmedizinische Begründung von MAK-Werten: Zirkonium und seine Verbindungen. Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher Arbeitsstoffe. 27. Lieferung. Verlag Chemie, Weinheim.
Matson U, Ekberg LE, Afshari A (2004) Measurement of ultrafine particles: a comparison of two handheld condensation particle counters. Aerosol Science and Technology 38: 487-495.
Matson U & Ekberg LE (2005) Prediction of ultrafine particle concentrations in various indoor environments. Proceedings of the conference Indoor Air, 1581-1585.
Mittmann-Frank M, Berger H, Buchter A (2009) Arbeitsmedizinisches und präventivmedizinisches Untersuchungsprogramm bei Exposition mit Nanopartikeln und speziellen oder neuen Materialien. Zbl Arbeitsmed 59: 336-343.
Mittmann-Frank M, Berger H, Pföhler C, Bücker A, Wilkens H, Arzt E, Schmidt KP, Wennemuth G, Hannig M, Buchter A (2010a) Klinische und diagnostische Befunde bei Exposition gegenüber Nanopartikeln und neuen Materialien, Zbl Arbeitsmed 60: 328-348.
Mittmann-Frank M, Berger H, Rupf ST, Wennemuth G, Hannig M, Buchter A (2010b) Expositionen gegenüber Nanopartikeln und neuen Materialien in der Zahnheilkunde (zur Publikation eingereicht bei Zbl Arbeitsmed).
Müller M, Fritz M, Buchter A (2008) Nanotoxikologie. Zbl Arbeitsmed 58: 238 – 252.
 
 
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Exposure in chemical nanotechnology

Acronym

Exposures in Chemical NanotechnologyMichaela MITTMANN-FRANK1, Hendrik BERGER1, Annette KRAEGELOH2,Gunther WENNEMUTH3 and Axel BUCHTER11Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeitsmedizin der Universität des Saarlandes undPräventivmedizinisches Zentrum für arbeits- und umweltbedingte Erkrankungen, Leiter: Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Axel Buchter, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Gebäude 80.2, 66421 Homburg/Saar,email: amabuc@uniklinikum-saarland.de2INM-Leibniz-Institut für Neue Materialien gGmbH, Campus D2 2, 66123 Saarbrücken3Institut für Anatomie und Zellbiologie der Universität des Saarlandes, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Gebäude 61, 66421 Homburg/SaarINTRODUCTIONExposures to ultrafine dust due to naturally emitted and incidentally generated nanoscale particles are already known. The exposure to specifically engineered nanomaterials is a topic of actual interest.Keeping in mind the special and heterogeneous spectrum of exposure, exposed individuals underwent detailed examinations in our institute and at their workplace. We also analysed the chemical nanotechnology work sites.METHODSThe measurement of number concentrations of ultrafine and nanoparticles during representative activities was carried out using the handheld condensation particle counter (CPC, TSI GmbH, Aachen, Germany). This model is capable to count single particles at concentrations as high as 105 pt/cm³, detecting particles in a size range between 10 and 1.000 nm. Occupational activities included production, modification of surface and further processing of oxide nano particles with primary particle size of < 10 to 100 nm e.g. ZrO2, SiO2, Al2O3, CeO2, Ce2(MoO4)3 and TiO2.Simultaneously, dust particle samples of indoor air were collected, visualized and analysed by REM and EDX.RESULTSMeasurement of number concentrations of ultrafine and engineerednano particles allowed the evaluation of maximum concentrations compared to background levels.Background concentrations of 4.000 to 10.000 pt/cm³ did not change during filling of small amounts of nano particle powder (figures 1 & 2).Filling of larger quantities resulted in short-term maxima of 15.700 pt/cm³ (within the fume-hood) versus 16.400 pt/cm³ (without deduction, figures 3 & 4). While spray-painting a nano particle containing formulation maximum concentrations of up to 140.000 pt/cm³ have been documented - the user was wearing a protective mask. Measuring within this mask only maxima < 10 pt/cm³ were detected - even during spray-painting (figures 5 - 7).More than 30 minutes after short-term maxima, background levels remained at concentrations of 30.000 pt/cm³ - indicating an inhalation exposure with potential hazards when the mask is removed early (figure 8).Using REM and EDX nanoscaled particles of Zirconium were visualized and identified (figures 9 & 10).CONCLUSIONAt present particle concentration levels at work sites during different uses of nano particles have shown no high peak concentrations. Spray-painting with nano particles is an exception – however the user is fully protected by wearing personal protective equipment.Figures 1 & 2:Filling of nano particle containingpowder.Figures 3 & 4:Processing of larger quantities of nanomaterials – measurementof particles carried out usingthe CPC 3007.Figures 5 & 6: Spray-paintingusing a nano particle containingformulation.Figure 7:Protective respiratory mask.Figure 9: REM-analysis of yttrium stabilized ZrO2.Element Wt% At%C 18,74 69,52O 1,52 4,24Zr 4,92 2,40La 14,35 4,40Ce 60,47 19,23Figure 10: EDX-analysis: Presence of Zirconium.Figure 8: Measurement profile: Spray-painting.The investigations were supported by the Ministry of Economy and Science and the Saarland University. LITERATUREAuffan M, Rose J, Bottero JY, Lowry GV, Jolivet JP, Wiesner MR (2009) Towards a definition of inorganic nanoparticles from an environmental, health and safety perspective. Nature Nanotechnology 4: 634-641.Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit (2007) Verhalten, Vorkommen und gesundheitliche Aspekte von Feinstäuben in Innenräumen. Band 17: 1-113.Buchter A (Hrsg. 2000 - 2009): Diagnostik arbeitsbedingter Erkrankungen und arbeitsmedizinisch-diagnostische Tabellen. Medizinische Fakultät der Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg, www.uniklinikum-saarland.de/arbeitsmedizin.DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) (1998). Gesundheitsschädliche Arbeitsstoffe. Toxikologisch-arbeitsmedizinische Begründung von MAK-Werten: Zirkonium und seine Verbindungen. Senatskommission zur Prüfung gesundheitsschädlicher Arbeitsstoffe. 27. Lieferung. Verlag Chemie, Weinheim.Matson U, Ekberg LE, Afshari A (2004) Measurement of ultrafine particles: a comparison of two handheld condensation particle counters. Aerosol Science and Technology 38: 487-495.Matson U & Ekberg LE (2005) Prediction of ultrafine particle concentrations in various indoor environments. Proceedings of the conference Indoor Air, 1581-1585.Mittmann-Frank M, Berger H, Buchter A (2009) Arbeitsmedizinisches und präventivmedizinisches Untersuchungsprogramm bei Exposition mit Nanopartikeln und speziellen oder neuen Materialien. Zbl Arbeitsmed 59: 336-343.Mittmann-Frank M, Berger H, Pföhler C, Bücker A, Wilkens H, Arzt E, Schmidt KP, Wennemuth G, Hannig M, Buchter A (2010a) Klinische und diagnostische Befunde bei Exposition gegenüber Nanopartikeln und neuen Materialien, Zbl Arbeitsmed 60: 328-348.Mittmann-Frank M, Berger H, Rupf ST, Wennemuth G, Hannig M, Buchter A (2010b) Expositionen gegenüber Nanopartikeln und neuen Materialien in der Zahnheilkunde (zur Publikation eingereicht bei Zbl Arbeitsmed).Müller M, Fritz M, Buchter A (2008) Nanotoxikologie. Zbl Arbeitsmed 58: 238 – 252.    	

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Exposure in chemical nanotechnology

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