BIA-Workshop "Ultrafine aerosols at workplaces" (BIA-Report 7/2003e)

Abstract: Ultrafine aerosols are aerosols made up of particles smaller than 100 nm. In comparison with their source materials, such nanoparticles have different optical, electrical, mechanical, and chemical properties. This is often quite useful in nanotechnology for creating nanostructured materials and even components and functional units. Ultrafine particles are not only unique to this field of hi-tech; they are present in our everyday lives and at various conventional workplaces. Experiments on animals in particular have indicated that the inhalation of poorly soluble ultrafine material particles can cause inflammatory reactions in the lungs and even lung tumours. Although there are hypotheses on the mechanics of ultrafine particles, no clear findings are as yet available. In August 2002, experts from Germany, Finland, Austria, Switzerland, and the USA presented their research results and findings on the topic of ultrafine particles at an interdisciplinary workshop held by the Berufsgenossenschaftliches Institut für Arbeitsschutz - BIA (BG-Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). The following topics were handled at the workshop: medical aspects, toxicology of ultrafine particles/epidemiology, physics of ultrafine particles/measurement technology, ultrafine aerosols at industrial workplaces, and discussions on whether exposure limit values should be introduced. This report relates the presentations and excerpts of the results of the discussion on each topic.