This project is an organizational project collaborating with different categories including the environment, safety, and health (ESH). With the environmental protection administration evaluating the risk and management from environment, the department of health being responsible for the assessment of health risks from nanoparticles, and the counsel of labor afairs researching on the health and safety of labors, a responsible nanotechnology research institute can be constructed. Through this project, it is expected that the understanding of nanoparticles monitoring and composition analysis is advanced, and an inclusive nanoparticle risk management system can be built. The contents of this project includes: (1) establishing real-time monitoring technique to estimate the concentration of nano-particles in the atmosphere; (2) using ISCST3 model to simulate the distribution of concentrations of nano sized ZnO particles near the atmosphere of a ZnO production factory, and comparing with the actual monitoring data; (3) analyzing the chemical composition of nano-particles in the atmosphere, and estimating the formation/conversion mechanism of these particles; and (4) introducing the developed analytical technique as well as obtained data to the department of health or related organizations for further exposure or bio-medical studies. All above objectives have been successively achieved within ten months. A standard operation procedure about sampling and real-time monitoring of nano-, sub-micro and micro- airborne particles has been established; The simulation of ISCST3 validates the application feasibility of this model. It is also proved that LA-ICP-MS can be used to analyze the nano-, sub-micro and micro- airborne particles collected respectively by ELPI. The obtained data shows that chemical as well as physical characteristic of nano-particles in the atmosphere can be investigated to satisfy the needs of environmental, safety and health as well.

ELPI、nano-size airborne particulate matter、LA-ICP-MS