Toward a Better Assessment of Occupational Exposure to Nanoparticles Taking into Account Work Activities

Abstract

Numerous industrial sectors and processes may cause worker exposure to ultrafine particles or engineered nanoparticles (NPs). These exposures may affect workers’ health if control measures (organisational, engineering, PPE…) are not properly defined, used and maintained. Today the available exposure data are insufficient for epidemiological studies. Part of the reason for this lack of data may be found in the variety of approaches used to assess worker exposure. In this work, we propose an approach integrating aerosol measurement and work activity analysis to enhance exposure assessment, based on present recommendations to assess occupational exposure to NPs. This multi-disciplinary approach combines information gathering, real-time measurements and aerosol sampling (for physicochemical analyses), contextual information and work activity observation, video exposure monitoring, interviews with stakeholders, and development of appropriate safety measures. Real exposure situations characterized as typical exposure situations, permitted to gather information on exposing work activities that can occur on workplaces thus making the determinants of exposure more visible. Work activity explains some variations on exposures objectified by video and measurements. Exposures become visible and documented, which triggers debate, discussions and even in some cases opens up new debate spaces. This method aims to help address the concerns of companies introducing new technology that is conducive to important work transformations. In this way, companies break through technological barriers, transform work practices, which makes an upgrade of prevention practices necessary. The approach also aims at setting a landmark method for future epidemiological studies.