- Discharging product into containers
- Transporting containers of intermediate products to the next process
- Charging the powders into processing equipment
- Weighing out powder for shipment
- Packaging material for shipment
- Storing material between operations
- Cleaning equipment to remove debris stuck to side walls
- Changing filters on dust collection systems and vacuum cleaners
- Further processing of products containing nanomaterials (e.g., cutting, grinding, drilling)
This detailed analysis, along with the review of exposure assessment studies in nanomaterial production and downstream user facilities described below, identify common processes that may lead to worker exposure to nanomaterials. This section provides some information on engineering control approaches that may be applicable for these common processes/tasks. Table 1 shows a generic process list along with applicable engineering controls and references. The engineering control column provides a framework for identifying exposure controls for particular processes. The third column shows the industry in which these control approaches have been tested. References are listed in the fourth column for studies that apply to each of these processes and controls.
Current Strategies for Engineering Controls in Nanomaterial Production and Downstream Handling Processes
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