Occupational Exposure
Workers may be exposed to nanoscale materials during manufacturing/synthesis of the nanoscale materials, during formulation or end use of products containing the nanoscale material, or during disposal or recycling of the products containing the nanoscale materials. Because higher concentrations and amounts of nanoscale materials and higher frequencies and exposures are more likely in workplace settings, occupational exposures warrant particular attention.
Table 4 presents the potential sources of occupational exposure during the common methods for nanoscale material synthesis: gas phase synthesis, vapor deposition, colloidal, and attrition methods.