Real-Time Emission and Exposure Measurements of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes during Production, Power Sawing, and Testing of Epoxy-Based Nanocomposites.

Characterization of a workplace producing CNT composite showed that open handling of the CNT powder during weighing and mixing of CNT powder material generated the highest particle emissions and exposures. The portable direct-reading aethalometer provided time-resolved eBC exposure data with complementary information to time-integrated EC filter samples by linking peak exposures to specific WTs. Based on the results it was not possible to conclude that eBC is a good proxy of EC. Surface contamination of CNTs was detected on several surfaces in the near-field zone in the facility. This contamination could potentially be resuspended into the workplace air, and may cause secondary inhalation exposure.