Reduction in welding fume and metal exposure of stainless steel welders: an example from the WELDOX study

• Published in: International archives of occupational and environmental health 2014-07, Vol.87 (5), p.483-492
• Main Authors: Lehnert, Martin, Weiss, Tobias, Pesch, Beate, Lotz, Anne, Zilch-Schöneweis, Sandra, Heinze, Evelyn, Van Gelder, Rainer, Hahn, Jens-Uwe, Brüning, Thomas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air Pollutants, Occupational - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Biological samples; Biomonitoring; Blood; Blood Chemical Analysis; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; Chromium; Chromium - analysis; Confined Spaces; Cross-Sectional Studies; Earth and Environmental Science; Emissions; Environment; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring; Head Protective Devices; Helmets; Humans; Inhalation Exposure - analysis; Inhalation Exposure - prevention & control; Manganese; Manganese - analysis; Medical sciences; Metal concentrations; Metals - analysis; Metals - blood; Metals - urine; Metals and various inorganic compounds; Nickel; Nickel - analysis; Occupational exposure; Occupational Exposure - analysis; Occupational Exposure - prevention & control; Occupational health; Occupational medicine; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Original Article; Protective equipment; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Rehabilitation; Stainless steel; Stainless Steel - analysis; Toxicology; Urinalysis; Ventilation; Welding; Welding - methods
• ISSN: 0340-0131; 1432-1246
• DOI: 10.1007/s00420-013-0884-7

Purpose In a plant where flux-cored arc welding was applied to stainless steel, we investigated changes in airborne and internal metal exposure following improvements of exhaust ventilation and respiratory protection. Methods Twelve welders were examined at a time in 2008 and in 2011 after improving health protection. Seven welders were enrolled in both surveys. Exposure measurement was performed by personal sampling of respirable welding fume inside the welding helmets during one work shift. Urine and blood samples were taken after the shift. Chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and manganese (Mn) were determined in air and biological samples. Results The geometric mean of respirable particles could be reduced from 4.1 mg/m 3 in 2008–0.5 mg/m 3 in 2011. Exposure to airborne metal compounds was also strongly reduced (Mn: 399 vs. 6.8 μg/m 3 ; Cr: 187 vs. 6.3 μg/m 3 ; Ni: 76 vs. 2.8 μg/m 3 ), with the most striking reduction inside helmets with purified air supply. Area sampling revealed several concentrations above established or proposed exposure limits. Urinary metal concentrations were also reduced, but to a lesser extent (Cr: 14.8 vs. 4.5 μg/L; Ni: 7.9 vs. 3.1 μg/L). Although biologically regulated, the mean Mn concentration in blood declined from 12.8 to 8.9 μg/L. Conclusion This intervention study demonstrated a distinct reduction in the exposure of welders using improved exhaust ventilation and welding helmets with purified air supply in the daily routine. Data from area sampling and biomonitoring indicated that the area background level may add considerably to the internal exposure.