Promoting responsible R&D and manufacturing environment of nanotechnology
Project Information
| Principal Investigator | HungMin Chein |
| Institution | Industrial Technology and Research Institute |
| Project URL | View |
| Relevance to Implications | High |
| Class of Nanomaterial | Engineered Nanomaterials |
| Impact Sector | Cross-cutting |
| Broad Research Categories |
Exposure Safety |
| NNI identifier |
Funding Information
| Country | Taiwan |
| Anticipated Total Funding | $127,557.00 |
| Annual Funding | $127,557.00 |
| Funding Source | Taiwan EPA |
| Funding Mechanism | Intramural |
| Funding Sector | Government |
| Start Year | 2004 |
| Anticipated End Year | 2005 |
Abstract/Summary
Exposure evaluations of the working environments of two small-scale plasma nanopodwer manufacture processes, “Direct-Current Plasma ” and “Microwave Plasma “, were performed. The average number concentrations for the operating processes were 25255±4705 and 22774±3672 #/cm3 for direct-current process and microwave process, respectively. The average number concentrations for the non-operating conditions were 14071±995 and 9918±1546#/cm3 for direct-current process and microwave process, respectively. The paper has been accepted and will be published in IOSH journal. In addition, nanoparticle size distribution and number concentration of four different sampling sites in Hsinchu area were measured. Based on average number concentration data (particle size 6~225nm), She-Ping and Si-Ta road site is the highest one (5.58_105#/cm3), Hu-Kuo industry site is the second one (3.64_104#/cm3), Kaun-Fu residential site is the third one (1.27_104#/cm3), and Bau-Sang reservoir site is the lowest one (1.07_104#/cm3). Thirty respirators selected from three commercial companies were evaluated based on the testing standards of NIOSH 42 CFR Part 84 and CNS 14755 Z2125, they have shown to meet the certified standard. Based on field measurement of ambient environment, nanopowder process environment, and particle control equipment, the size distribution, number concentration, and collection efficiency of nanoparticle emission have been studied and reported. The results show that there are very high concentration of nanoparticle near the cross section of busy roads, it can be as high as 100 times of the concentration in residential area. In nanopowder working environment, there are still some nanoparticle emission. It is recommended that the worker should be trained and wears suitable personal protective equipment. As far as control equipment is concerned, the removal efficiency of nanoparticle for wet scrubber is less than 20%. Based on the field experience, we establish the standard operation procedure of particle exposure evaluation, person protective equipment, and control devices for nanopowder manufacturing process.
