Combining NSAM and CPC concentrations to determine airborne nanoparticle count median diameter: Application to various laboratory and workplace aerosols

ABSTRACTBecause nanomaterials have been increasingly developed and used in many technology and industry sectors over the last 20 years, an increasing number of workers is likely to be exposed to airborne nanoparticles. In addition, the question of the nanomaterial characteristics that should be assessed in epidemiological studies remains open. Thus, assessing occupational exposure to airborne nanoparticles will not only rely on mass concentration and chemical composition. Rather, key parameters, such as particle size, have to be included in measurement strategies.We previously proposed a methodology to estimate the Count Median Diameter (CMD) of an aerosol based on the simultaneous size-integrated measurement of two particle concentrations, lung-deposited surface area, and number, thanks to field-portable, commercially available aerosol instruments (Nanoparticle Surface Area Monitor/Condensation Particle Counter combination).In addition to previous work, this study investigates the case of various polydis...