AEROSOL RESEARCH

Occupational health risks associated with using and manufacturing nanoparticles are not clearly understood. Workers may inhale and be exposed to levels that greatly exceed ambient levels. Leading experts contend that surface area, rather than mass, should be measured for nanoparticles, because nanoparticles have far more surface area for the same amount of mass. This increases the chance of reaction with the body. As a result, there is a growing need to study health effects and assess workplace conditions and personal exposure to nanoparticles, based on the measurement of particle surface area.

The patented Nanoparticle Surface Area Monitor Model 3550* measures the human lung-deposited surface area of particles (reported as µm2/cm3) corresponding to tracheobronchial (TB) and alveolar (A) regions of the lung. The Model 3550 provides a simple and fast solution for measuring the surface area equivalent dose in the lung. The Model 3550 is an important instrument for research in the fields of inhalation toxicology, health effects and epidemiology, and for measuring and monitoring workplace exposure.

Features and Benefits  

• Selectable measurement modes for tracheobronchial (TB) or alveolar (A) deposition response
• Comprehensive software for collection, storage, and display of running-average, time-weighted-average (8-hour), or total deposited surface area
• Simple operation, fast set up, and the ability to run continuously for unattended, long-term exposure monitoring
• Sensitivity down to 10 nm
• Over five decades of concentration, from 0 to 10,000 µm2/cm3 spanning a wide range of exposure dosages
• Data rate of one measurement per second detects short periods of high-intensity exposures

 Applications  

• Basic aerosol research
• Inhalation toxicology
• Industrial hygiene research
• Health effects studies
• Epidemiology studies
• Occupational exposure monitoring