Fugitive emissions from nanopowder manufacturing

Abstract

In response to health and safety questions and concerns regarding particulate matter emissions from equipment used for synthesizing NiFe and TiO₂ nanopowders, a study was undertaken to assess their impact on the air quality inside and outside a laboratory where the manufacturing equipment is operated. Elemental concentrations determined by ion beam analysis (IBA) of air particulate matter (PM) samples collected hourly with a Streaker^TM sampler were used to identify possible sources and estimate contributions from nanopowder production and other sources. The fugitive nanopowder emissions were the highest at the indoor sampling location when powders were being manufactured. Average fugitive emissions of 210 ng m⁻³ (1-h average) (maximum 2163 ng m⁻³ 1-h average) represented 2 % (maximum 20 %) of the average PM collected (9359 ng m⁻³ 1-h average). The measured NiFe alloy or TiO₂ PM concentrations were much smaller than the 8-h time-weighted average (TWA) workplace exposure standards (WES) for these materials (≥1,000,000 ng m⁻³). Most PM was found to be from infiltrated outdoor ambient sources. This suggests that nanopowder production in the laboratory is not likely to have adverse health effects on individuals using the equipment, although further improvements can be made to further limit exposure.

Graphical abstract

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