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Occupational Exposure to Ultrafine Particles in Metal Additive Manufacturing: A Qualitative and Quantitative Risk Assessment

Author

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  • Marta Sousa

    (ALGORITMI Research Center, School of Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
    CATIM—Technological Center for the Metal Working Industry, 4100-414 Porto, Portugal)

  • Pedro Arezes

    (ALGORITMI Research Center, School of Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal)

  • Francisco Silva

    (ALGORITMI Research Center, School of Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
    CTCV—Technological Center for Ceramic and Glass, 3040-540 Coimbra, Portugal)

Abstract

Ultrafine particles (UFPs) can be released unintentionally during metal additive manufacturing (AM). Experts agree on the urgent need to increase the knowledge of the emerging risk of exposure to nanoparticles, although different points of view have arisen on how to do so. This article presents a case study conducted on a metal AM facility, focused on studying the exposure to incidental metallic UFP. It intends to serve as a pilot study on the application of different methodologies to manage this occupational risk, using qualitative and quantitative approaches that have been used to study exposure to engineered nanoparticles. Quantitative data were collected using a condensation particle counter (CPC), showing the maximum particle number concentration in manual cleaning tasks. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDS) measurements were performed, showing no significant change in the particles’ chemical composition, size, or surface (rugosity) after printing. A qualitative approach was fulfilled using Control Banding Nanotool 2.0, which revealed different risk bands depending on the tasks performed. This article culminates in a critical analysis regarding the application of these two approaches in order to manage the occupational risk of exposure to incidental nanoparticles, raising the potential of combining both.

Suggested Citation

  • Marta Sousa & Pedro Arezes & Francisco Silva, 2021. "Occupational Exposure to Ultrafine Particles in Metal Additive Manufacturing: A Qualitative and Quantitative Risk Assessment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9788-:d:637386
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Serkan Erbis & Zeynep Ok & Jacqueline A. Isaacs & James C. Benneyan & Sagar Kamarthi, 2016. "Review of Research Trends and Methods in Nano Environmental, Health, and Safety Risk Analysis," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 36(8), pages 1644-1665, August.
    2. Martin Baumers & Joost R. Duflou & William Flanagan & Timothy G. Gutowski & Karel Kellens & Reid Lifset, 2017. "Charting the Environmental Dimensions of Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(S1), pages 9-14, November.
    3. Pål Graff & Bengt Ståhlbom & Eva Nordenberg & Andreas Graichen & Pontus Johansson & Helen Karlsson, 2017. "Evaluating Measuring Techniques for Occupational Exposure during Additive Manufacturing of Metals: A Pilot Study," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(S1), pages 120-129, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marta Sousa & Pedro Arezes & Francisco Silva, 2023. "Occupational Exposure to Incidental Nanomaterials in Metal Additive Manufacturing: An Innovative Approach for Risk Management," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-21, January.

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