Emissions and Exposure assessment
To generate the knowledge needed to implement Safe(r)-and-sustainable-by-design, we assess real-world emissions and exposure as well as properties of emitted particles in all stages of the life cycle of a nanomaterial. We are at the forefront when it comes to exposure/emission characterization with advanced state-of-the-art online and offline instrumentation, such as time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometry and electron microscopy.
Research areas
Workplace exposure
For nano-sized materials, inhalation is the most important exposure route, and workplaces, from small scale laboratories to large industrial producers, the place where emission- and exposure risks are highest. We design and conduct advanced emission- and exposure assessments with high time-resolution, allowing studies of different processes and manufacturing steps. We also use on- and off-line methods for detailed characterization of particle properties. In our aerosol lab facilities we can study mechanisms of emissions and dispersion in a highly controlled environment.
Emission measurements during different work tasks using both portable and stationary time-resolved instruments.
Environmental emissions and exposure
Due to the rapid nanotechnology development, the risk of environmental exposure is increasing. The knowledge gaps on effects of this are large, not least in the consumer and end-of-life steps of the lifecycle of a material. Using real-world measurements and model systems like e.g. artificial wetlands, we study how amounts released and material characteristics such as morphology and chemical composition affect the environment.
Biomarkers
As an important step towards preventive methods for negative health effects associated with nanoparticle exposure, we study exposure- and effect biomarkers in blood, urine, exhaled breath, and nasal lavage. Detailed chemical characterization of airborne exposure and of related biomarkers is conducted in the well-equipped laboratory of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Key publications
Workplace Emissions and Exposures During Semiconductor Nanowire Production, Post-production, and Maintenance Work. Isaxon, C., Lovén, K., Sivakumar, S., Gudmundsson, A., Messing, M., Pagels, J. & Hedmer, M., Ann Work Expo Health. 2020 Jan 1;64(1):38-54. doi: 10.1093/annweh/wxz088
See article Workplace Emissions and Exposures at the Publisher's site
Comprehensive proteome analysis of nasal lavage samples after controlled exposure to welding nanoparticles shows an induced acute phase and a nuclear receptor, LXR/RXR, activation that influence the status of the extracellular matrix. Ali, N., Ljunggren, S., Karlsson, H. M., Wierzbicka, A., Pagels, J., Isaxon, C., Gudmundsson, A., Rissler, J., Nielsen, J., Lindh, C. H. & Kåredal, M. Clin Proteomics 2018; 15:20. doi: 10.1186/s12014-018-9196-y
See article Compehensive Proteome Analysis at the Publisher's site
Acute respiratory effects and biomarkers of inflammation due to welding-derived nanoparticle aggregates. Dierschke, K., Isaxon, C., Andersson, U. B. K., Assarsson, E., Axmon, A., Stockfelt, L., Gudmundsson, A., Jönsson, B. A. G., Kåredal, M., Löndahl, J., Pagels, J., Wierzbicka, A., Bohgard, M. & Nielsen, J. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2017; 90(5):451-463. doi: 10.1007/s00420-017-1209-z.
See article Acute respiratory effects and biomarkers of inflammation at the Publisher's site
Carbon Nanotube Emissions from Arc Discharge Production: Classifications of Particle Types with Electron Microscopy and Comparison with Direct reading Techniques. Ludvigsson L., Isaxon C., Nilsson P.T., Tinnerberg H., Messing M.E., Rissler J., Skaug V., Gudmundsson A., Bohgard M., Hedmer M., Pagels J. Ann. Occup. Hyg. 1-20 (2016).
Doi: 10.1093/annhyg/mev094
See article Carbon Nanotube Emissions from Arc Discharge Production at the Publisher's site
Detection of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon Nanodiscs on Workplace Surfaces at a Small-Scale Producer. Hedmer, M., Ludvigsson, L., Isaxon, C., Nilsson, P., Skaug, V., Bohgard, M., Pagels, J., Messing, M. & Tinnerberg, H. Ann Occup Hyg. 2015; 59(7):836-52. doi: 10.1093/annhyg/mev036.
See article Detection of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes at the Publisher's site
Effects on heart rate variability by artificially generated indoor nano-sized particles in a chamber study. Hagerman, I., Isaxon, C., Gudmundsson, A., Wierzbicka, A., Dierschke, K., Berglund, M., Pagels, J., Nielsen, J., Assarsson, E., Andersson, U. B., Xu, Y., Jönsson, B. A. & Bohgard, M. Atmospheric Environment. 88, p. 165-171 (2014)
See article Effects on heart rate variability at the Publisher's site
Nano-objects emitted during maintenance of common particle generators: direct chemical characterization with aerosol mass spectrometry and implications for risk assessments. Nilsson P.T., Isaxon C., Eriksson A.C., Messing M.E., Ludvigsson L., Rissler J., Medmer M., Tinnerberg H., Gudmundsson A., Deppert K., Bohgard M., Pagels J.H. J. Nanopart. Res 15:2012 (2013) Doi: 10.1007/s11051-013-2012-0
See article Nano-objects emitted during maintenance at the Publisher's site
Key Faculty
Mistra Environmental Nanosafety
Research program to manage risks of nanomaterials. The program ended in 2023 and here, you can download the final report. The report features 10 highlights comprising the behaviour of nanoparticles in the environment, new methods for the aging and degradation, as well as toxicity assessment. Included materials were polymers, metals and metal oxides as well as electronics waste.