Ultrafeine Aerosole an Arbeitsplätzen Konventionen und Beispiele aus der Praxis

Ultrafine aerosols are aerosols with particles smaller than 100 nm. Such aerosols have been regarded as a tentative cause of specific health effects, if the particles are insoluble or only slightly soluble. Ultrafine particles are formed especially as condensates from thermic and chemical processes. Examples are welding fumes, metal fumes, carbon black, silica fumes or particulate diesel motor emissions. The institute for occupational safety - BIA in cooperation with the German Berufsgenossenschaften (institutions for statutory accident insurance and prevention) has started a campaign to measure ultrafine aerosols in selected industrial workplaces. For that purpose the number concentrations as well as the particle size distributions in the size range from approx. 10 to 500 nm are measured by using a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS, manufactured by TSI). The present state of these activities is presented and interesting findings are reported. Special attention is paid to specific conditions to be considered for measuring ultrafine aerosols in workplaces. Furthermore the efficiency of different respiratory particle filters against ultrafine particles is dealt with.