Table 1.
Work tasks performed at the nanowire (NW) producer, when the processes were evaluated, which engineering controls that were present and which type of personal protective equipment (PPE) that were used by the workers.
| Work task | Work task description | Study 1/2 | Engineering controls | PPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production laboratory | ||||
| Cleaning of seed aerosol particle generator (Study 1: high temperature furnace Study 2: arc discharge) | Study 1: The lid and bottom of the furnace were removed and cleaned with a brush and a drill. The tubing was cleaned with compressed air. Study 2: The arc was disassembled and the different parts were cleaned with a brush. | 1/2 | Open ventilated cupboard/Open bench | Full face mask (ABE+P3), cleanroom gown, gloves, shoe covers, hairnet |
| Cleaning of DMA and aerosol filter exchange | The DMA was disassembled and cleaned with a brush and ethanol. Some parts were cleaned with compressed air. The aerosol filter was changed. | 1/2 | Open ventilated cupboard/open LAF bench | Full face mask (ABE+P3), cleanroom gown, gloves, shoe covers, hairnet |
| Inspection of reactor | The top of the reactor was opened and the inside was inspected with an endoscope. | 1 | Ventilated cupboard | Full face mask (ABE+P3), disposal coveralls, shoe protection, gloves |
| Automatic reactor cleaning | Computer work was performed. The reactor was automatically cleaned with nitrogen gas. | 1 | Ventilated cupboard | Full face mask (ABE+P3), disposal coveralls, shoe protection, gloves |
| Manual reactor cleaning | The reactor was opened and manually cleaned with a steel wire and a cleanroom vacuum cleaner. | 1 | Ventilated cupboard | Full face mask (ABE+P3), disposal coveralls, shoe protection, gloves |
| Exchange of NW outflow filter(s) | Tubes were disconnected, holders were cleaned with ethanol, and filter(s) were exchanged. | 1/2 | Open ventilated cupboard | Full face mask (ABE+P3), cleanroom gown, gloves, shoe covers, hairnet |
| Leak test | Different parts of the reactor cupboard were opened, leak tests were performed with helium. | 2 | Open ventilated cupboard | Full face mask (ABE+P3), cleanroom gown, gloves, shoe covers, hairnet |
| Work in glove box | GaAs NWs were being harvested. | 1/2 | Glove box with over-pressure | Cleanroom gown, gloves, shoe covers, hairnet |
| Production of GaAs NWs | Computer work was performed. Supervision of the production was conducted. | 1/2 | Closed system | Cleanroom gown, gloves, shoe covers, hairnet |
| Post-production laboratory | ||||
| Sonication of substrates with Si NWs | Substrates with Si NWs (grown from gold seed particles) were transferred into liquid and sonicated. Work bench was cleaned. | 1/2 | LAF bench/Open bench | Eye googles, protective gown, gloves/Full face mask (ABE+P3), protective gown, gloves |
| Handling of substrates with Si NWs | Substrates with Si NWs (grown from gold seed particles) were shaken in an open box and transferred to another box. | 2 | Parts in LAF bench, parts on open bench | Full face mask (ABE+P3), protective gown, gloves |