International Journal of Environmental Science and Development

Abstract—In the last decade, available research studies on industrial and biomedical applications have documented the potential for significant health effects from exposure to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs). This paper reviews existing information on toxicity and potential health risks from occupational exposures to CNTs and CNFs. Additionally, the paper discusses the need to consider the Precautionary Principle as a basis for risk management practices for effectively controlling exposures to CNTs and CNFs. It must be noted that in order to effectively evaluate workers’ exposures and minimize risks for respiratory hazards, a multi-tiered measurement strategy and feasible interventions or controls must be developed with a view to controlling exposures below NIOSH’s recommended exposure limit of 1.0 μg/m3over a working lifetime of 45 years. The application of classical industrial hygiene exposure controls (engineering, administrative control/work practices, and personal protective equipment) are recommended.

Index Terms—Carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, toxicity, occupational exposure limits, engineering control, work-practice control, personal protective equipment.

The authors are with the Department of Public Health, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA (e-mail: emmanuel.iyiegbuniwe@wku.edu).

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Cite: Emmanuel A. Iyiegbuniwe, Usonwanne U. Nwosu, and Sireesha Kodali, "A Review of Occupational Health Implications of Exposure and Risk Management of Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon Nanofibers," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development vol. 7, no. 11, pp. 849-855, 2016.