Types of aerosols

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Provides general industrial hygiene information on several hundred chemicals/classes found in the work environment.

Aerosol vape

An aerosol may be defined as a suspension of particles or droplets in air. Aerosols may include airborne dusts, mists, fumes, or smoke. Suspended particle sizes may range from a few nanometers (nm) to hundreds of micrometers (µm) in diameter. For comparison a human hair may be between 20 to 180 µm in diameter. Particles can be manufactured or naturally occurring.

A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Nanotechnology: Workers within nanotechnology-related industries may experience exposure to uniquely engineered materials. This includes novel sizes, shapes, and physical and chemical properties.

Aerosol examples

Best Practices for Dust Control in Coal Mining. Second edition: Describes effective methods for the control of coal dust in mines.

Dust Control Handbook for Industrial Minerals Mining and Processing. Second edition. Describes effective methods for the control of mineral dusts in mines.

NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable bibliographic database of publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles. Suggested key words: aerosol, particulate matter, dust, mists, fume, exhaust, aerosol or dust sampling, aerosol or dust exposure, combustible dusts.

Aerosol medication

Aerosol Spray

Aerosols in the workplace may pose both health and safety hazards. Aerosols are encountered across multiple industry sectors. Particles can be inhaled, absorbed by the skin, enter the eyes or be ingested. Factors such as particle size, composition, shape, and concentration, can determine whether particles can cause harm to workers. Harmful effects can be either short or long term. Safety hazards may include slips, fires, or explosions.

What Is aerosol in Chemistry

NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM): Methods for sampling and analysis of contaminants in workplace air. It includes methods for quantifying contaminants in the blood and urine of workers who are occupationally exposed.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 established NIOSH as a research agency focused on the study of worker safety and health, and empowering employers and workers to create safe and healthy workplaces.

NIOSH has carried out extensive aerosol research in exposure assessment, epidemiology, toxicology, risk mitigation, aerosol sampling and method development. This assists our understanding in: