Characterization of Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding Fume Generated by Apprentice Welders.

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State: Public
Version: Final published version
Serval ID
serval:BIB_9DD5792CFADD
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Characterization of Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding Fume Generated by Apprentice Welders.
Journal
The Annals of Occupational Hygiene
Author(s)
Graczyk Halshka, Lewinski Nastassja, Zhao Jiayuan, Concha-Lozano Nicolas, Riediker Michael
ISSN
1475-3162 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0003-4878
Publication state
Published
Issued date
03/2016
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
60
Number
2
Pages
205-219
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Tungsten inert gas welding (TIG) represents one of the most widely used metal joining processes in industry. Its propensity to generate a greater portion of welding fume particles at the nanoscale poses a potential occupational health hazard for workers. However, current literature lacks comprehensive characterization of TIG welding fume particles. Even less is known about welding fumes generated by welding apprentices with little experience in welding. We characterized TIG welding fume generated by apprentice welders (N = 20) in a ventilated exposure cabin. Exposure assessment was conducted for each apprentice welder at the breathing zone (BZ) inside of the welding helmet and at a near-field (NF) location, 60cm away from the welding task. We characterized particulate matter (PM4), particle number concentration and particle size, particle morphology, chemical composition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production potential, and gaseous components. The mean particle number concentration at the BZ was 1.69E+06 particles cm(-3), with a mean geometric mean diameter of 45nm. On average across all subjects, 92% of the particle counts at the BZ were below 100nm. We observed elevated concentrations of tungsten, which was most likely due to electrode consumption. Mean ROS production potential of TIG welding fumes at the BZ exceeded average concentrations previously found in traffic-polluted air. Furthermore, ROS production potential was significantly higher for apprentices that burned their metal during their welding task. We recommend that future exposure assessments take into consideration welding performance as a potential exposure modifier for apprentice welders or welders with minimal training.
Keywords
Air Pollutants, Occupational/analysis, Gases/analysis, Humans, Inhalation Exposure/analysis, Male, Metals, Nanoparticles/analysis, Occupational Exposure/analysis, Particle Size, Tungsten/analysis, Welding/instrumentation, Welding/methods, PM4, gas metal arc welding (GTAW), nanoparticles, occupational exposure, tungsten inert gas (TIG), welding fumes, workplace air
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
10/11/2015 15:29
Last modification date
21/11/2022 8:24
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