Matthew M Dahm1, Mary K Schubauer-Berigan2, Douglas E Evans3, M Eileen Birch3, Stephen Bertke2, John D Beard4, Aaron Erdely5, Joseph E Fernback3, Robert R Mercer5, Sergey A Grinshpun6. 1. Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA; Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, 160 Panzeca Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA. Electronic address: mdahm@cdc.gov. 2. Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA. 3. Division of Applied Research and Technology, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA. 4. Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA; Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. 5. Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Rd, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA. 6. Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, 160 Panzeca Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recent animal studies have suggested the potential for wide-ranging health effects resulting from exposure to carbon nanotubes and nanofibers (CNT/F). To date, no studies in the US have directly examined the relationship between occupational exposure and potential human health effects. OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to measure CNT/F exposures among US workers with representative job types, from non-exposed to highly exposed, for an epidemiologic study relating exposure to early biologic effects. METHODS: 108 participants were enrolled from 12 facilities across the US. Personal, full-shift exposures were assessed based on the mass of elemental carbon (EC) at the respirable and inhalable aerosol particle size fractions, along with quantitatively characterizing CNT/F and estimating particle size via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, sputum and dermal samples were collected and analyzed to determine internal exposures and exposures to the hands/wrists. RESULTS: The mean exposure to EC was 1.00 μg/m3 at the respirable size fraction and 6.22 μg/m3 at the inhalable fraction. Analysis by TEM found a mean exposure of 0.1275 CNT/F structures/cm3, generally to agglomerated materials between 2 and 10 μm. Internal exposures to CNT/F via sputum analysis were confirmed in 18% of participants while ∼70% had positive dermal exposures. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the occurrence of a broad range of exposures to CNT/F within 12 facilities across the US. Analysis of collected sputum indicated internal exposures are currently occurring within the workplace. This is an important first step in determining if exposures in the workforce have any acute or lasting health effects. Published by Elsevier GmbH.
BACKGROUND: Recent animal studies have suggested the potential for wide-ranging health effects resulting from exposure to carbon nanotubes and nanofibers (CNT/F). To date, no studies in the US have directly examined the relationship between occupational exposure and potential human health effects. OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to measure CNT/F exposures among US workers with representative job types, from non-exposed to highly exposed, for an epidemiologic study relating exposure to early biologic effects. METHODS: 108 participants were enrolled from 12 facilities across the US. Personal, full-shift exposures were assessed based on the mass of elemental carbon (EC) at the respirable and inhalable aerosol particle size fractions, along with quantitatively characterizing CNT/F and estimating particle size via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, sputum and dermal samples were collected and analyzed to determine internal exposures and exposures to the hands/wrists. RESULTS: The mean exposure to EC was 1.00 μg/m3 at the respirable size fraction and 6.22 μg/m3 at the inhalable fraction. Analysis by TEM found a mean exposure of 0.1275 CNT/F structures/cm3, generally to agglomerated materials between 2 and 10 μm. Internal exposures to CNT/F via sputum analysis were confirmed in 18% of participants while ∼70% had positive dermal exposures. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the occurrence of a broad range of exposures to CNT/F within 12 facilities across the US. Analysis of collected sputum indicated internal exposures are currently occurring within the workplace. This is an important first step in determining if exposures in the workforce have any acute or lasting health effects. Published by Elsevier GmbH.
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