1 of 44

Nanomaterials’ Risk Assessment

Competent university teachers for digital learning in OSH

2 of 44

Learning outcomes

After this session, students will be able to:

Understand the concept of nanomaterials and nanoscale;
Discuss the uses of nanomaterials in our daily life;
Identify impacts of some nanomaterials in human health;
Recognize different approaches to assess the risk of exposure to nanomaterials;
Identify control measures for occupational exposure to nanomaterials.

3 of 44

Agenda

Framework
Nanomaterials in our daily lives
Impacts associated with nanomaterials
Nanomaterials’ occupational risk assessment

4 of 44

Framework

5 of 44

Let´s start!

6 of 44

10^-9m

10^-1m

10⁷m

Nanoscale

7 of 44

Nanomaterial

In October 2011, the European Commission published the 1st recommendation for an official definition of nanomaterial in the European Union:

“Nanomaterial means a natural, incidental or manufactured material containing particles, in an unbound state or as an aggregate or as an agglomerate and where, for 50% or more of the particles in the number size distribution, one or more external dimensions is in the size range 1 nm - 100 nm.”

8 of 44

Nanomaterials

Natural

Anthropogenic

Incidental

Manufactured

9 of 44

Nanomaterial

Nano-object

(at least one external dimension at nanometer scale)

Nanoparticle

(3 external dimensions)

Nanofiber

(2 external dimensions)

Nanotube

(empty)

Nanowire

(electrical conductor or semiconductor)

Nanorod

(solid)

Nanoplate

(1 external dimension)

Nanostructured material

(internal structure or superficial structure at nanosacle)

10 of 44

Nanomaterials in our daily lives

11 of 44

Source: Ivo Iavicoli et al. (2018) Nanoparticle Exposure and Hormetic Dose–Responses: An Update

Silver, gold, iron, …
Titanium dioxide
Carbon nanotubes
Silica

Home textiles
Sportswear
Textile sterilization
Fire protection clothing

Titanium dioxide
Zinc oxide
Aluminum phosphate
Aluminum, copper, palladium

Paints
Coatings
Plastics
Paper impregnations

Manufactured NM

12 of 44

Source: Ivo Iavicoli et al. (2018) Nanoparticle Exposure and Hormetic Dose–Responses: An Update

Aluminum, copper, platinum, …
Carbon black
Carbon nanotubes

Painting
Sensors
Tires
Fuel additives

Gold, silver, mica, aluminum
Titanium dioxide
Zinc oxide

Sunscreens
Deodorants
Lipsticks
Toothpastes

Manufactured NM

13 of 44

Incidental NM

Engine exhaust system

Welding fumes

3D metal printing emissions

14 of 44

Impacts associated with nanomaterials

15 of 44

Impact on human health of exposure to some nanomaterials

Toxic effects;
Inflammatory responses;
Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases;
DNA damage;
Carcinogenicity;
…

Routes of exposure: inhalation, dermal and digestive.

Understudy!

16 of 44

Examples

Incidental NM	Impacts on human health
Diesel exhaust	Cancer; Respiratory diseases
Welding fumes	Metal fume fever; infertility; benign pneumoconiosis
Industrial emissions	Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Sand blasting	Silicosis

Source: Kristen M. Kulinowski.Introduction to Nanomaterials and Occupational Health

17 of 44

Nanomaterials’ occupational risk assessment and control

18 of 44

Occupational risks related with NM

Inhalation exposure
Exposure by ingestion
Exposure by dermal contact
High explosiveness
Flammability
Chemical reactivity
…

19 of 44

Risk assessment

20 of 44

Risk assessment

Quantitative methods

Several alternatives to assess exposure, based on:

Number concentration; Mass concentration; Morphology; Chemical composition; ...

21 of 44

Risk assessment

Quantitative methods: examples

Condensation particle counter (CPC)

Measures concentration in number.

Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS)

Measures concentration in number.

22 of 44

Condensation particle counter

23 of 44

Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer

24 of 44

Risk assessment

Quantitative methods: examples

Nanoparticle Surface Area Monitor (NSAM)

Measures surface area concentration.

Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM)

Measures mass concentration.

25 of 44

Nanoparticle Surface Area Monitor (NSAM)

26 of 44

Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance

27 of 44

Risk assessment

Qualitative methods

Control Banding Nanotool;
Stoffenmanager Nano;
Anses Tool;
NanoSafer CB;
Precautionary Matrix for Synthetic Nanomaterials;
IVAM Guidance;
Decision tree (EPFL)
EC Guidance;
ISO/TS 12901-2:2014;
…

28 of 44

Quantitative methods: examples

Control banding Nanotool [ Paik et al., 2008; Zalk et al., 2009 ]

https://controlbanding.llnl.gov/

Risk assessment

29 of 44

Quantitative methods: examples

Control banding Nanotool [ Paik et al., 2008; Zalk et al., 2009 ]

Not complex approach; intended to be used by both experts and non-experts;
Suitable for industrial workplaces;
Allows to assign the classification “unknown” to certain parameters.

Risk assessment

30 of 44

Quantitative methods: examples

Stoffenmanager Nano [ Van Duuren-Stuurman et al., 2012 ]

https://nano.stoffenmanager.com/default.aspx

Risk assessment

31 of 44

Quantitative methods: examples

Stoffenmanager Nano [ Van Duuren-Stuurman et al., 2012 ]

Simple approach; intended to be used by non-experts at Small and medium-sized enterprises;
Focused on the work environment;
Results rely on hazards of parent or bulk materials.

Risk assessment

32 of 44