Measurement of Nanomaterials and ultrafine Particles in the Workplace

Depending on the specific problem, the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) recommends and uses both stationary and personal measurement technology according to standardised measurement procedures for the measurement of nanomaterials and ultrafine particles in the workplace.

Elekronenmikroskopaufnahme: Agglomerat aus Kohlenstoffnanofasern
Agglomerat aus Kohlenstoffnanofasern © N. Dziurowitz und S. Plitzko, BAuA

In terms of stationary measuring technology, the available equipment comprises two Scanning Mobility Particle Sizers (SMPS 5.403), two Condensation Particle Counters (CPC 3007) and two Aerosol Spectrometers (1.109). This measuring technology can be used to record the particle number concentration and size distribution over a range of 5 nm to >32 µm.

The personal measuring technology uses the established technique of particle collection on nuclear pore filters. Particularly significant results can therefore be expected, especially in the evaluation of workplaces where work is carried out with fibrous materials. These filters are then analysed in a high-resolution scanning electron microscope (SEM). This SEM analysis also allows conclusions to be drawn regarding the materials' morphology and composition.

The workplace measurements are carried out as part of in-house research projects, projects with third-party funding and EU projects.

Publications

The Nano-Particle Mass Classifier (Nano-PMC): Development, Characterization, and Application for Determining the Mass, Apparent Density, and Shape of Particles with Masses Down to the Zeptogram Range

Article 2015

Existing aerosol particle mass classifiers (PMCs) can classify particles having masses down to ca. half an attogram (i.e., 10-18 g), which corresponds to a diameter of ca. 10 nm for spherical particles with standard density (1 g/cm³). Here, we describe an improved design of such a classifier, …

To the Publication

A thermal precipitator for the deposition of airborne nanoparticles onto living cells - Rationale and development

Article 2013

The complete article "A thermal precipitator for the deposition of airborne nanoparticles onto living cells - Rationale and development" can be downloaded at the website of the "Journal of Aerosol Science", Volume 63, pp. 75-86 (charges may apply).

To the Publication

Further Information