The study is dedicated to the relevant and significant problem of ensuring occupational safety when handling nanopowders of rare earth metal oxides. The authors note that the unique physical and chemical properties of nanopowders, unlike macroscopic materials, can negatively affect human organisms. The study aims to substantiate the necessity to develop specialized methods of ensuring occupational safety when investigating air contamination with nanopowders of rare earth metal oxides in laboratory conditions where the dust concentration increases significantly. It is emphasized that the existing occupational safety regulations and sanitary-hygienic requirements do not consider the features of nanoparticles. These include the high reactivity and dispersion ability, which makes their use inefficient for the protection of employees handling such materials.
In order to evaluate the content of rare earth metals in the air, the modern particle counter Fluke 985 has been used. Comparative measurements of dust particle concentrations have been carried out in various conditions: in the lab where nanopowders are handled, in premises where such operations are not conducted, and in the exhaust fume hood immediately during work and upon its completion. The results of experimental studies demonstrated the significant excess of dust particle concentration in the air of the working area when handling nanopowders of rare earth metal oxides, which confirms the need for stricter safety measures.
To adequately estimate risks and ensure safety for employees, additional studies of the impact of nanopowders of rare earth metal oxides on human health, the development of more efficient methods to control their concentration in the air, and, first of all, establishing permissible norms of nanoparticle content in the air of working premises, considering their dimensions and physical and chemical properties, are required. The development and implementation of new occupational safety norms and standards to handle nanopowders of rare earth metal oxides is currently a relevant and crucial task.
2. Kondrakhin V.P., Martyushev N.V., Klyuev R.V., Sorokova S.N., Efremenkov E.A., Valuev D.V., Mengxu Q. Mathematical Modeling and Multi-Criteria Optimization of Design Parameters for the Gyratory Crusher. Mathematics. 2023. Vol. 11. Iss. 10. DOI: 10.3390/math11102345
3. Sharipzyanova G.Kh., Eremeeva Zh.V., Saenko A.A. Investigating the structure and properties of mechanically activated samarium titanate. Ustoychivoe razvitie gornykh territoriy = Sustainable development of mountain territories. 2022. Vol. 14. № 1. pp. 134–141. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.21177/1998-4502-2022-14-1-134-141
4. Vasileva V., Kukartsev V., Suprun E., Shalaeva D., Ageev D. Integration of automated information systems and architectural solutions in industrial enterprises. E3S Web of Conferences. 2023. Vol. 458. DOI: 10.1051/e3sconf/202345809021
5. Kondratev V.V., Ershov V.A., Shakhrai S.G., Ivanov N.A., Karlina A.I. Formation and Utilization of Nanostructures Based on Carbon During Primary Aluminum Production. Metallurgist. 2016. Vol. 60. pp. 877–882.
6. Malozyomov B.V., Kukartsev V.V., Martyushev N.V., Kondratiev V.V., Klyuev R.V., Karlina A.I. Improvement of Hybrid Electrode Material Synthesis for Energy Accumulators Based on Carbon Nanotubes and Porous Structures. Micromachines. 2023. Vol. 14. Iss. 7. DOI: 10.3390/mi14071288
7. Golik V.I., Dmytrak Yu.V., Komashchenko V.I., Razorenov Yu.I. Environmental Aspects of Storing Tails of Ore Dressing in a Mountain Region. Ekologiya i promyshlennost Rossii = Ecology and Industry of Russia. 2018. Vol. 22. № 6. pp. 35–39. (In Russ.).
8. Radomskaya V.I., Sorokin A.P., Shumilova L.P. Transfer of rare-earth elements from coals of the Sergeevskoe deposit in solution. Gornyy informatsionno-analiticheskiy byulleten (nauchno-tekhnicheskiy zhurnal) = Mining informational and analytical bulletin (scientific and technical journal). 2024. № 7-1. pp. 148–158. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2024_71_0_148
9. Kulikova E.Yu., Balovtsev S.V., Skopintseva O.V. Geoecological monitoring during mining operations. Ustoychivoe razvitie gornykh territoriy = Sustainable Development of Mountain Territories. 2024. Vol. 16. № 2. pp. 580–588. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.21177/1998-4502-2024-16-2-580-588
10. Sharipzyanova G.Kh., Eremeeva Zh.V. Control of the operational properties of powder materials to increase the corrosion resistance and wear resistance of parts. Ustoychivoe razvitie gornykh territoriy = Sustainable Development of Mountain Territories. 2023. Vol. 15. № 2. pp. 443–449. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.21177/1998-4502-2023-15-2-443-449
11. Sherov K.T., Tussupova S.O., Mazdubay A.V., Sikhimbayev M.R., Absadykov B.N. Increasing durability of thermofriction tools by surfacing. News of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Series of Geology and Technical Sciences. 2022. Vol. 3. № 453. pp. 265–275. DOI: 10.32014/2022.2518-170X.195
12. Brigida V.S., Golik V.I., Klyuev R.V., Sabirova L.B., Mambetalieva A.R., Karlina Y.I. Efficiency Gains When Using Activated Mill Tailings in Underground Mining. Metallurgist. 2023. Vol. 67(3-4). pp. 398–408. DOI: 10.1007/s11015-023-01526-z
13. Cherkasova T.G., Cherkasova E.V., Tikhomirova A.V., Gilyazidinova N.V., Klyuev R.V., Martyushev N.V., Karlina A.I., Skiba V.Y. Study of Matrix and Rare Elements in Ash and Slag Waste of a Thermal Power Plant Concerning the Possibility of their Extraction. Metallurgist. 2022. Vol. 65. Iss. 11/12. pp. 1324–1330. DOI: 10.1007/s11015-022-01278-2
14. Dvoychenkova G.P., Timofeev A.S., Nikitina Yu.N. Stimulation of heavy-media separation of diamond-bearing material by improvement of ferrosilicium corrosion resistance and produced rough concentrate quality. Gornyy informatsionno-analiticheskiy byulleten (nauchno-tekhnicheskiy zhurnal) = Mining informational and analytical bulletin (scientific and technical journal). 2024. № 8. pp. 108–124. (In Russ.). DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2024_8_0_108
15. Balanovsky A.E., Shtayger M.G., Grechneva M.V., Kondratev V.V., Karlina A.I. Comparative metallographic analysis of the structure of St3 steel after being exposed to different ways of work-hardening. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. 2018. Vol. 411(1). DOI: 10.1088/1757-899X/411/1/012012