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Med. Pr. 2007;58(3):243-251

NANOPARTICLES (PART 1) - PRODUCTS OF UP-TO-DATE TECHNOLOGY AND NEW THREATS IN THE WORK ENVIRONMENT

NANOCZĄSTKI (CZĘśĆ 1) - PRODUKT NOWOCZESNEJ TECHNOLOGII I NOWE ZAGROŻENIE W ŚRODOWISKU PRACY

Anna Maria Świdwińska-Gajewska

Abstract

Nanoparticles are the structures with at least one dimension smaller that 100 nm. They occur as nanoaerosol, colloidal or nanocomposites. Particles come into existence in natural way by erosion, but most of them result from human action. Exposure to nanoaerosol has occurred for many years, in many branches of industry, particularly in combustion processes and thermal processing, but only the development of nanotechnology has evoked much concern among specialists in occupational safety and hygiene. Exposure to engineered nanoparticles present in the sector of research studies and advancement of nanotechnology, in chemical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries as well as in processes involving nanoparticles in the form of semi-products, has become areal threat. An increased surface area per mass unit, characteristic of nanostructures, substantially influences their toxicity. Therefore, it seems that the surface area and the number particles but not mass are a more reasonable measure of exposure tosubstances occurring in the form of nanoparticles. Med Pr 2007;58(3):243-251

Key words

nanoparticles, nanotechnology, environmental exposure, occupational exposure