Nano-Scaled Particles and Fibres Occupational Exposure Assessment: An Integrated Approach from Air Sampling to Skin and Surface Contamination

Abstract

Workers may be exposed to nanoparticles (NPs) by inhalation, cutaneous contact and gastroenteric pathways, but today there is no standardized method for either assessing or monitoring the occupational exposure. Moreover, there is no all-in-one assessment strategy, so it is preferable to consider different perspectives. Every assessment should be preceded by a preliminary analysis of the workplace in order to gather useful data on the potential exposure sources, which will help in outlining the assessment strategy. The purpose of air monitoring should be to characterize NP emissions and assess, as a minimum, the mass, particle number concentration, granulometric distribution, specific surface and chemical composition. There are several techniques which may assess these characteristics: the most used in real occupational contexts are mobility particle sizers, particle counters (optical, condensation, etc.), surface area monitors, while personal samplers are promising tools which still have been used almost only in research or controlled contexts. Skin and surfaces may be sampled according to the nature of substances and the circumstances of exposure. Sampling methods can be divided in three main categories: interception (e.g. carbon tabs), removal (e.g. adhesive tape stripping, wiping), in situ methods (e.g. UV fluorescence). Chemical analysis methods (e.g. spectroscopy) and electron microscopy techniques may enhance available data. Considering the available information, we suggest a stepwise approach for risk assessment composed of three steps, starting from a quick and relatively cheap screening method to assess exposure, followed by 2 gradually more accurate but costly approaches to perform whether a significant exposure is detected.

Strong Near-Infrared Absorbing and Biocompatible CuS Nanoparticles for Rapid and Efficient Photothermal Ablation of Gram-Positive and -Negative Bacteria

“…Although Au NPs are also efficient nanomaterials for antibacterial application, the high price limits its development in large scale. Compared with the above-mentioned nanomaterials, Cu-based NPs with low cost, easy preparation, high stability, and good biocompatibility have emerged as new class of nanomaterials in electronic, optical, catalysis and biomedical fields. Since the d-d energy band transition of Cu 2+ ions, CuS NPs can transform light into heat.…”

Enhanced Antibacterial Activity of CuS-BSA/Lysozyme under Near Infrared Light Irradiation

“…Heat induced by photothermal nanotherapy using noble metal nanoparticles, as well as carbon-based and polymer-based nanomaterials [ 22 ], could be an efficient mechanism to kill bacterial cells [ 22 , 23 ]. In addition to these materials, CuS-based nanomaterials have been investigated in various fields owing to their easy synthesis and reduced toxicity, as well as specific optical, physical, and chemical properties [ 24 ], and employed as antiseptic agents [ 21 ]. The most intriguing feature of CuS-based nanomaterials is their strong near-infrared (NIR) optical absorption, making them effective photothermal agents for antimicrobial therapy by means of local hyperthermia that minimizes the therapeutic issues of conventional antibiotics [ 21 ].…”

The Excretion of BRCAA Antibody-Conjugated Gold Nanoclusters from Kidneys of Treated Rats

“…Even though they have shown great prospective in cancer diagnosis and therapy, their safety remains being worried for their accumulation forming largesize particles in liver and spleen and thus inducing the difficulty of metabolism or excreation [27]. Ideal nanomaterials should have little accumulation in organs, be cleared out of the body effectively and show minimum interference with other diagnostic tests [28]. So the advantage of Au-NCs is the small size of 2-nmdiameter which can penetrate kidney filtration barrier and guarantee to decrease in-vivo toxicity by renal clearance.…”