Use of Raman spectroscopy to identify carbon nanotube contamination at an analytical balance workstation. Issue 12 (1st December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Braun, Elizabeth I.; Huang, An; Tusa, Carolyn A.; Yukica, Michael A.; Pantano, Paul
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene. Volume 13:Issue 12(2016)
• Page Start: 915
• Page End: 923
• Publication Date: 2016-12-01
• Subjects: Nanomaterial occupational hygiene -- nanomaterial workplace exposure -- nanosafety -- safely handling nanopowders; Industrial hygiene -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Occupational Health -- Periodicals; Environmental Exposure -- Periodicals; Environmental Health -- Periodicals; Occupational Exposure -- Periodicals; Hygiène industrielle -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Médecine du travail -- Périodiques; 613.62
• DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2016.1191639
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1545-9624

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are cylindrical molecules of carbon with diverse commercial applications. CNTs are also lightweight, easily airborne, and have been shown to be released during various phases of production and use. Therefore, as global CNT production increases, so do concerns that CNTs could pose a safety threat to those who are exposed to them. This makes it imperative to fully understand CNT release scenarios to make accurate risk assessments and to implement effective control measures. However, the current suite of direct-reading and off-line instrumentation used to monitor the release of CNTs in workplaces lack high chemical specificity, which complicates risk assessments when the sampling and/or measurements are performed at a single site where multiple CNT types are handled in the presence of naturally occurring background particles, or dust. Herein, we demonstrate the utility of Raman spectroscopy to unequivocally identify whether particulate matter collected from a multi-user analytical balance workstation comprised CNTs, as well as, whether the contamination included CNTs that were synthesized by a Ni/Y-catalyzed electric-arc method or a Co/Mo-catalyzed chemical vapor deposition method. Identifying the exact CNT type generated a more accurate risk assessment by knowing the metallic impurities involved, and it also led to the identification of the users who handled these CNTs, a review of their handling techniques, and an improved protocol for safely weighing CNTs.