Safe by process design (SbPD) strategies based on proper measures to mitigate nanoparticle exposure in industrial settings

Abstract

Due to its potential to develop new added value products, a staggering number of nanoparticles (NPs) is already available on the market. Moreover, this increase is expected to continue in the future. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the level of exposure to nanoparticles, and the information related to possible adverse health effects is scarce. Furthermore, there is very little studies concerning the effect of risk management measures (RMMs) on the levels of exposure to nanoparticles at workplaces, compared to the number of exposure situations that can be distinguished.This study focuses on 5 case studies covering different types of materials, assessing the effectiveness of targeted mitigation strategies applied during the production process. Customized mitigation measures were applied in each industrial scenario to minimize exposure levels. The effects on the particle concentration levels using source enclosure, partial or full, combined with local exhaust ventilation systems (LEVs), was evaluated to generate new knowledge to support the definition of informed safe by process design approaches when dealing with NPs. This study demonstrates that technological advancements can significantly reduce work-related exposures. The findings underscore the importance of tailored mitigation measures due to the diverse range of potential sources and activities in industrial scenarios.