Development of a nanoparticle multi-generator for assessment of inhalation hazard

In this study, we developed the nanoparticle multi-generator by 3D printer fusion deposition modeling (FDM) method that can reliably generate and deliver nanoparticles at a constant concentration for inhalation risk assessment. A white ABS filament was used as the test material, and SMPS was used for concentration analysis such as particle size and particle distribution. In the case of particle size, the particle size was divided by 100 nm or less and 100 to 1,000 nm, and the number of particles concentration, mass concentration, median diameter of particles, geometric average particle diameter, etc were measured. The occurrence conditions were the extruder temperature, the extruding speed of the nozzle, and the air flow rate, and experiments were conducted according to the change of conditions including the manufacturer's standard conditions. In addition, the utility of inhalation risk assessment was reviewed through a stability maintenance experiment for 6 h. As a result of the experiment, the size of the nanoparticles increased as the discharger temperature increased, as the discharge speed of the nozzle increased, and as the air flow rate decreased. Also, a constant pattern was shown according to the conditions. Even when particles were generated for a long time (6 h), the concentration was kept constant without significant deviation. The distribution of the particles was approximately 80 % for particles of 60 nm to 260 nm, 1.7 % for 1 ㎛ or larger, 0.908 mg/㎥ for the mass concentration, 111 nm for MMAD and 2.10 for GSD. Most of the ABS particles were circular with a size of less than 10 nm, and these circular particles were aggregated to form a cluster of grape with a size of several tens to several hundred nm.