Determination of ultrafine particle number emission factors from building materials in standardized conditions.

When comparing the particle emissivity for different materials and/or mechanical activities, a serious methodological issue emerges due to the dynamic nature of solid aerosols. Particle size distribution and concentration depend on initial particle emission that constantly evolves due to aerodynamic collisions. In this context, we propose a methodological approach and an experimental setup that enables to assess the release of fine/ultra-fine particles maintaining a steady-state inhalable mass concentration, here chosen at the Swiss occupational exposure level value for biopersistent granular particles (OEL: 10 mg/m3) in a controlled ventilation chamber. As a case study, this methodological protocol was tested in the occupational exposure scenario in which a series of insulating materials based on silica aerogel and conventional mortar and concrete were subjected to handling or sawing. Once the OEL was reached, the particle size distribution and morphology of the aerosols were characterized using direct reading instruments (scanning mobility sizer, aerosol photometer) and electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) analyses. As a main result, the presence of silica aerogel in the mortar did not modify the emission profile for submicronic particles during sawing in comparison to the bulk mortar. Emission factors for ultra-fine particles were found to be 88 × 106 and 81 × 106 particles/µg of inhalable dust for the aerogel mortar and bulk mortar, respectively. For concrete sawing, the number concentration of submicronic particles at the OEL is one order of magnitude greater. The aerogel-glass-wool handling generated similar particle number concentration at the OEL with ultra-fine particle emission factors of 647 × 106 particles/µg of inhalable dust, in comparison to 758 × 106 particles/µg of inhalable dust during dry concrete sawing. In conclusion, the methodology introduced in this work provides standardized particle emission factors for comparing materials and activities, while establishing a link between particle number emissions and occupational exposure limits.