Emission of nanometer size particles during selected processes with construction materials using

Background The aim of the presented work was the assessment of occupational exposure to nanoparticles and ultrafine particles during selected processes of using construction materials. Material and Methods The tests were carried out at the following workplaces: abrasion and pouring of 2 products – nanomortar and nanocrete. Measurements were carried out using the following devices: DiSCmini measurer, GRIMM 1.109 optical counter and DustTrak monitor. The number, surface area, mass concentration and size distribution were analyzed. Results DiSCmini measurements showed that the mean number concentration of particles during the analyzed processes ranged of 1.4×104–1.0×105 particles/cm 3 , and the highest one was during nanomortar abrasion. The mean particles diameters during the processes ranged 28.9−47.1 nm depending on the process. An increase in the average value of the particles surface area concentration was observed, the largest value was found during nanomortar abrasion – 255.9 μm 2 /cm 3 . The size distributions analysis (GRIMM 1.109) showed that the dimensions of particles released in the processes had a wide range, however the majority of particles were in the range of 60–145 nm. The analysis of the mass concentration (DustTrak) showed that the fraction of particles < 1 μm was minimum 50% of the total analyzed particles during the process. Conclusions During the processes under study, a large increase in all analyzed parameters describing the emission of ultrafine particles was observed. This allows to conclude that the smallest particles emitted during the using of nanostructures containing construction materials may be a potential health risk factor for people exposed to these materials. Med Pr. 2019;70(1):67–8