Nanomaterial Exposure Assessment in a Carbon Fiber-Processing Laboratory

Expanding the applications of carbon nanofiber-based products from research to industry should take into account the concerning aspect of their potential toxicity, especially in terms of occupational safety related to nano-particulate emission. In order to evaluate their interactions and potential hazardous nature, it is important to comprehend and precisely determine their physicochemical properties. However, inconclusive data on physicochemical properties are still a stumbling point for an authoritative framework on nanomaterials aiming to synchronize the relevance of certain physicochemical endpoints with their toxicological effects. The question arises on which physicochemical endpoints or technological solutions are currently available to support the requested characterization of nanomaterial-based products. An established standard test method that could be satisfactory to evaluate physicochemical endpoints was strategized to pinpoint to such a decision framework for the assessment of nanomaterials. This work encompassed chemical and physical methods from multiple analytical techniques for the determination of physicochemical parameters on nanoparticulate emission within a carbon fiber-processing laboratory. A microscopic analysis through SEM and TEM revealed the presence of carbon nanofibers with a diameter ranging from 80 to 250 nm with several aggregation and agglomeration states, whereas data from EDS stated the presence of carbon, oxygen, and silicon elements within the collected nano-emission particles. Data from these physicochemical analyses and the concentration of exposure were synchronized toward the formation of control banding within nanomaterial risk assessment in order to address exposure prevention and risk management in a consistent and useful manner for future users of such carbon fiber-processing laboratories.