There has been much recent attention, and in some cases concern, about airborne exposure to nanoparticles (generally meaning aerodynamic diameters less than 100 µm) associated with engineered nanomaterials. While there are valid questions about these potentials exposures, it is important to understand that so-called incidental nanoparticles are common in outdoor air and are also released from many normal residential activities, e.g. cooking. This presentation explains how airborne nanoparticles are measured, summarize measurements of incidental nanoparticles in a residential environment, and discusses some examples of how engineered nanomaterials in residential environments could be a source of exposure.

Nanomaterial development and application are viewed as an emerging discipline, but exposure to, and work with materials in the nanoscale has been occurring for centuries. Engineered nanomaterials are heralded for their important, unique characteristics not exhibited by macroscale materials of the same composition. Exposure to nanomaterials presents a unique set of exposure pathways with potentially new benefits and risks. Since the early research with ultrafine particles, new commercial and residential uses of a wide range of nanomaterials are challenging our understanding of the impact of these materials on human health and the environment throughout their lifecycle.