Visualisation of exposure to nanoparticles using PIMEX

Abstract

In 2010 the Video Exposure Monitoring method PIMEX was applied to visualize exposure to nanoparticles for several tasks. Next to personal observations the video captured the working conditions and registered possible changes in operational conditions. Simultaneously and coupled with the video both the personal exposure (in the breathing zone) and the background exposure were monitored. In this way the personal exposure to synthetic particles can be corrected for the background exposure to natural occurring nanoparticles or confounding factors. The resulting videos can be edited and used for risk communication purposes. Overall, PIMEX can be of added value for the risk assessment of engineered nanoparticles.