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Conceptual model for assessment of inhalation exposure to manufactured nanoparticles

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 21, pages 450–463 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

As workplace air measurements of manufactured nanoparticles are relatively expensive to conduct, models can be helpful for a first tier assessment of exposure. A conceptual model was developed to give a framework for such models. The basis for the model is an analysis of the fate and underlying mechanisms of nanoparticles emitted by a source during transport to a receptor. Four source domains are distinguished; that is, production, handling of bulk product, dispersion of ready-to-use nanoproducts, fracturing and abrasion of end products. These domains represent different generation mechanisms that determine particle emission characteristics; for example, emission rate, particle size distribution, and source location. During transport, homogeneous coagulation, scavenging, and surface deposition will determine the fate of the particles and cause changes in both particle size distributions and number concentrations. The degree of impact of these processes will be determined by a variety of factors including the concentration and size mode of the emitted nanoparticles and background aerosols, source to receptor distance, and ventilation characteristics. The second part of the paper focuses on to what extent the conceptual model could be fit into an existing mechanistic predictive model for ‘‘conventional’’ exposures. The model should be seen as a framework for characterization of exposure to (manufactured) nanoparticles and future exposure modeling.

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Acknowledgements

The work was partially sponsored by the EU FP7 project NANODEVICE contract NMP4-LA-2009-211464, the Dutch Ministry of Social Affaires and Employment, the Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Boards for the Industry, Teaching and Research, and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation in Denmark.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Køgemestervej 13, Hillerød, DK 3400, Denmark

    Thomas Schneider

  2. NFA National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, Copenhagen, DK 2100, Denmark

    Thomas Schneider, Ismo Kalevi Koponen & Keld Alstrup Jensen

  3. TNO Research group Quality & Safety, PO Box 360, Zeist, 3700 AJ, The Netherlands

    Derk Henri Brouwer, Wouter Fransman, Birgit Van Duuren-Stuurman & Erik Tielemans

  4. IOM Institute of Occupational Medicine, Research Avenue North Riccarton, Edinburgh, EH14 4AP, UK

    Martie Van Tongeren

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Schneider, T., Brouwer, D., Koponen, I. et al. Conceptual model for assessment of inhalation exposure to manufactured nanoparticles. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 21, 450–463 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2011.4

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