Online characterization of nano-aerosols released by commercial spray products using SMPS–ICPMS coupling

Abstract

Nanoparticle-containing sprays are a critical class of consumer products, since human exposure may occur by inhalation of nanoparticles (NP) in the generated aerosols. In this work, the suspension and the released aerosol of six different commercially available consumer spray products were analyzed. Next to a broad spectrum of analytical methods for the characterization of the suspension, a standardized setup for the analysis of aerosol has been used. In addition, a new online coupling technique (SMPS-ICPMS) for the simultaneous analysis of particle size and elemental composition of aerosol particles has been applied. Results obtained with this new method were confirmed by other well-established techniques. Comparison of particles in the original suspensions and in the generated aerosol showed that during spraying single particles of size less than 20 nm had been formed, even though in none of the suspensions particles of size less than 280 nm were present (Aerosol size range scanned: 7-300 nm). Both pump sprays and propellant gas sprays were analyzed and both released particles in the nm size range. Also, both water-based and organic solvent-based sprays released NP. However, a trend was observed that spraying an aqueous suspension contained in a pump spray dispenser after drying resulted in bigger agglomerates than spraying organic suspensions in propellant gas dispensers. Keywords Nanoparticles Á Nano-spray Á spICPMS Á TEM Á SMPS Á Inhalation exposure Market surveys identified silver (Benn et al. 2010; Chen and Schluesener 2008; Kaegi et al. 2010), zinc oxide (Graf et al. 2013), titanium dioxide (Skocaj et al. 2011), carbon and silica (Zhu et al. 2010) as the species that are most frequently used as nanoparticles Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (

Release of airborne particles and Ag and Zn compounds from nanotechnology-enabled consumer sprays: Implications for inhalation exposure

“…The presence of a diverse group of metals as also observed in other study investigating consumer sprays (Losert et al, 2015).…”

“…4-5). The particles could also have formed from the product matrix as suggested in other studies (Losert et al, 2015).…”

“…While Hagendorfer et al (2010) and Lorenz et al (2012) suggested that only propellant gas sprays can release nanoparticles, Losert et al (2015) show that both propellant and gas sprays can release nanoparticles.…”

“…Due to their exposure potential, nanoparticle-containing sprays were even called a critical class of consumer products (Losert et al, 2015). The US EPA indicated that studies of nano-Ag present in disinfectant products are one of the best ways to inform about potential ecological and health implications of nano-Ag (USEPA, 2012).…”

“…First, it is not always clear if the nanosized particles derived from consumer products are indeed manufactured nanoparticles, or result from product matrix, or, possibly, are a combination of both. Second, while data on the composition of nano-aerosols released by commercial spray products are beginning to emerge (Losert et al, 2015), there is still insufficient data when it comes to sprays based on materials of concern (such as compounds of Ag and Zn). Third, the nanotechnology-based consumer product market is very dynamic with a rapid turnover of available products; thus, as new products are introduced they should be examined for potential exposures to nanoparticles and related health risks.…”