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Aerosolized particulate matter from fragmentation of carbon nanotube-enhanced concrete

Abrahamsson, Camilla LU ; Isaxon, Christina LU ; Hedmer, Maria LU orcid ; Kåredal, Monica LU orcid and Rissler, Jenny LU (2023) In Annals of work exposures and health 67(Supplement_1). p.94-95
Abstract
Construction and demolition workers are exposed to high levels of particulate matter (PM) from building materials throughout their working life. Although nano-enabled building materials (NEBMs) may improve the performance and functionality of buildings, concerns are being raised regarding health risks from occupational exposure to PM from NEBMs. In this work, an experimental set-up for integrated resuspension and characterization of PM from NEBMs was developed and tested using three types of concrete (low density, normal, high strength), each enhanced with Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) at different concentrations (0, low, high). The performance of portable devices used in occupational exposure assessments (DustTrak and NanoTracer) was compared... (More)
Construction and demolition workers are exposed to high levels of particulate matter (PM) from building materials throughout their working life. Although nano-enabled building materials (NEBMs) may improve the performance and functionality of buildings, concerns are being raised regarding health risks from occupational exposure to PM from NEBMs. In this work, an experimental set-up for integrated resuspension and characterization of PM from NEBMs was developed and tested using three types of concrete (low density, normal, high strength), each enhanced with Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) at different concentrations (0, low, high). The performance of portable devices used in occupational exposure assessments (DustTrak and NanoTracer) was compared with stationary instruments and gravimetric filter techniques. 40-70% of the mass and 90-98% of the number of particles were within the respirable fraction, with primary modes at 150 nm and 2-3 µm. Addition of CNTs significantly decreased mean particle number concentrations (PNCs) across the entire characterized size range (7 nm - 20 µm) for low density concrete, whereas the opposite was the case for normal strength and high strength concrete. It was hypothesised that the concrete matrix primarily governs the PM formation, which is in turn modulated by CNT-matrix interactions either suppressing or supporting fragmentation during crushing. SEM imaging could display partially submerged CNTs protruding from concrete fragments. Fundamental interactions at the interface of the nanomaterial and the surrounding matrix needs to be investigated to determine how the PM generated from NEBMs differ from their non-nano counterparts and how to prevent future exposure during demolition. (Less)
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author
; ; ; and
organization
alternative title
Aerosoliserade partiklar från fragmentering av kolnanorörsförstärkt betong
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
host publication
Abstracts from the 2022 Airmon-10 conference and the 2023 Inhaled Particles and NanOEH conference
series title
Annals of work exposures and health
volume
67
issue
Supplement_1
pages
1 pages
ISSN
2398-7316
2398-7308
DOI
10.1093/annweh/wxac087.231
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
3276f63b-33bc-427f-af7f-717f879b7b6c
date added to LUP
2023-09-20 10:47:11
date last changed
2023-09-22 09:40:44
@inproceedings{3276f63b-33bc-427f-af7f-717f879b7b6c,
  abstract     = {{Construction and demolition workers are exposed to high levels of particulate matter (PM) from building materials throughout their working life. Although nano-enabled building materials (NEBMs) may improve the performance and functionality of buildings, concerns are being raised regarding health risks from occupational exposure to PM from NEBMs. In this work, an experimental set-up for integrated resuspension and characterization of PM from NEBMs was developed and tested using three types of concrete (low density, normal, high strength), each enhanced with Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) at different concentrations (0, low, high). The performance of portable devices used in occupational exposure assessments (DustTrak and NanoTracer) was compared with stationary instruments and gravimetric filter techniques. 40-70% of the mass and 90-98% of the number of particles were within the respirable fraction, with primary modes at 150 nm and 2-3 µm. Addition of CNTs significantly decreased mean particle number concentrations (PNCs) across the entire characterized size range (7 nm - 20 µm) for low density concrete, whereas the opposite was the case for normal strength and high strength concrete. It was hypothesised that the concrete matrix primarily governs the PM formation, which is in turn modulated by CNT-matrix interactions either suppressing or supporting fragmentation during crushing. SEM imaging could display partially submerged CNTs protruding from concrete fragments. Fundamental interactions at the interface of the nanomaterial and the surrounding matrix needs to be investigated to determine how the PM generated from NEBMs differ from their non-nano counterparts and how to prevent future exposure during demolition.}},
  author       = {{Abrahamsson, Camilla and Isaxon, Christina and Hedmer, Maria and Kåredal, Monica and Rissler, Jenny}},
  booktitle    = {{Abstracts from the 2022 Airmon-10 conference and the 2023 Inhaled Particles and NanOEH conference}},
  issn         = {{2398-7316}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{Supplement_1}},
  pages        = {{94--95}},
  series       = {{Annals of work exposures and health}},
  title        = {{Aerosolized particulate matter from fragmentation of carbon nanotube-enhanced concrete}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxac087.231}},
  doi          = {{10.1093/annweh/wxac087.231}},
  volume       = {{67}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}