Toxicity and safety aspects of nanoparticle spread in third generation photovoltaic device processing environments

Detection strategies for analysis of the nanomaterials toxicity, although challenging, will be in much demand as nanotechnology becomes more common-place in third generation photovoltaics (PV). Experimentally feasible approaches must be designed and engineered to detect quantum dots (QDs) and nanoparticles (NPs) in PV device processing environment. Identifying the level of risk to human body upon exposure to nanomaterials is another important factor that needs consideration. In this work evidence on the detection of aerosolized nanoparticles was experimentally verified using gold NP adsorbent, followed by spectroscopic measurements. Results from in-vitro cytotoxicity study with HeLa cell cultures and fluorescent plate reading also showed that core/shell CdSe/ZnS QDs are responsible for cell death following exposure.