Workplace exposure to process-generated ultrafine and nanoparticles in ceramic processes using laser technology

摘要

The ceramic industry is an industrial sector, which has been growing and including innovative technologies such as laser processes. However, there is a considerable research gap within exposure assessment studies for process-generated ultrafine and nanoparticles, especially as a result of such innovations in the manufacturing processes. This chapter addresses this issue focusing on ultrafine and nanoparticle emissions during processes in the ceramic industry with potential for unintentional nanoparticle release. The processes under study (laser sintering and ablation of ceramic tiles) have a large potential for global-scale implementation in real-world ceramic industrial facilities. Nanoparticle release mechanisms and their impact on exposure in workplace air are characterised in a selected number of release scenarios.