Digital tool for indoor air pollutants simulation in industrial workplaces

Nanoparticles (NP), aerosols under 100 nm of nominal diameter, might be responsible of multiple diseases (cardiovascular, nervous, respiratory, cancer, etc.) in mid- and long-term exposed workers in industrial layouts. These particles in suspension are not just originated from nanomaterials manufacturing, but also accidentally by plenty of industrial high-energetic and machining processes, such as atmospheric plasma spraying, welding or ceramic tiles firing, representing a potential danger for manufacturers from a wide variety of sectors. This paper will present a simulation tool of Incidental NanoParticles’ (INP) concentration in industrial environments that is currently under development within the Life Nanohealth European project to assess occupational health to external and internal hygiene risk prevention services. The concentration model has been implemented through a Modelica library and evaluated with a case study with real work conditions in an industrial plant with different processes, materials, ventilation systems and sources’ nature. Obtained results show simulations that are coherent with the field campaigns’ data, reaching a prediction precision over the error of the used sensors and a high correlation between measurements and model.
This research is part of a LIFE-funded project (LIFE20 ENV/ES/000187). The authors acknowledge SALONI (https://saloni.com/) for their committed cooperation. The first author gratefully acknowledges the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya for the financia.
Postprint (published version)