Workplace exposure to UFP, also known as ultra fine particles, takes place in many manufacturing scenarios. UFP can't be seen but can be inhaled. It is measured using the nano scale. Studies shown that UFP can damage the brain, lungs, and alter DNA processes. HEPA filters trap UFP before it can be inhaled. NIOSH says HEPA filtration is "effective in capturing nanoscale particles." Industrial hygienists have the skills necessary to solve the problem of nanoscale particles in the workplace.

1. UFP
UFP
UFP
UFP
UFP
UFP
Combustion-
derived or
engineered,
the health
hazards posed
are real
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENISTS
SHOULD ADDRESS THE
RESPIRATORY HAZARDS
OF NANOPARTICLES
– aka UFP – IN THE
WORKPLACE

2.  Nanoparticles may seem new but UFP (<100 nm ultrafine
particles) studies go back decades in outdoor air pollution
research.
 Engineered nanomaterials are used in consumer products, such
as cosmetics, sunscreen and related personal care products
such as toothbrushes.2
 Industrial use of nanomaterials occurs in the manufacture of
electronics, automotive and aerospace products.2
 Additive manufacturing uses 3D printers and lasers to heat/melt
/sinter powders of metal, polymer, biological nanoparticles.
 Well understood source of combustion-derived nanoscale UFP
is welding, for which fume extractors are effective.
WHERE EXPOSURE TO UFP OCCURS

3. HOW NANOSCALE UFP CAN DAMAGE
THE BODY
Heart:
Acute myocardial
infarction,
atherosclerosis5
Lungs:
Particle-induced
inflammation3
DNA:
Changes in
generic code
regulation6
Brain:
Cognitive decline4

4. HEPA filters capture
particles via diffusion,
interception, inertia, van
der Waals forces, plus
the interplay of:
PROTECTION FROM PARTICLES STARTS
WITH H, AS IN H E P A

5. Particles of 0.3 microns are
noted when HEPA filtration
efficiency is discussed,
creating the false impression
that HEPA does not capture
smaller particles.
Research has shown HEPA
filtration is 99.97% efficient at
capturing 0.3 micron particles,
the most difficult size for
HEPA technology.1
Particles of lesser and
greater size are captured
even more efficiently.
NIOSH: HEPA EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR
NANOPARTICLE CAPTURE
“HEPA filtration has been
shown to be effective in
capturing nanoscale particles
and should be considered in
situations where emissions may
be regular, where processes
are repeated, and where higher
quantities are used in a way
that may lead to emissions.”
Page 58
NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin 65

6.  Nanoscale particles are a health hazard.
 Solutions exist in existing air filtration technology.
 We encourage you to seek out the information you need to
solve this problem.
INDUSTRIAL HYGIENISTS SOLVE
PROBLEMS
www.sentryair.com
S i m p l e s o l u t i o n s f o r c l e a n e r a i r. T M

7. RESOURCES
1Workshop for Certification of Biological Safety Cabinets, The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Biohazards
and Environmental Control, Rockville Bio-Engineering Services, Dow Chemical USA, Bethesda, 1974
2Nanotechnology in the real world: Redeveloping the nanomaterial consumer products inventory, Beilstein Journal of
Nanotechnology 2015
http://www.beilstein-journals.org/bjnano/content/pdf/2190-4286-6-181.pdf
3Combustion-derived nanoparticles: A review of their toxicology following inhalation exposure, Particle and Fibre
Toxicology 2005
http://www.particleandfibretoxicology.com/content/2/1/10#B3
4Exposure to Particulate Air Pollution and Cognitive Decline in Older Women, JAMA Internal Medicine 2012
http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1108716
5Silicon dioxide nanoparticles increase macrophage atherogenicity: Stimulation of cellular cytotoxicity, oxidative
stress, and triglycerides accumulation, Environmental Toxicology 2014
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/tox.22084/abstract
6Short-term diesel exhaust inhalation in a controlled human crossover study is associated with changes in DNA
methylation of circulating mononuclear cells in asthmatics, Particle and Fibre Toxicology 2014
http://www.particleandfibretoxicology.com/content/11/1/71/abstract