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Med. Pr. 2004;55(6)

Determination of fumes and their elements from flux cored arc welding

Oznaczanie dymów i ich składników powstających podczas spawania drutami proszkowymi

Wanda Matczak, Magdalena Przybylska-Stanisławska Z Zakładu Zagrożeń Chemicznych Instytutu Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera w Łodzi

Abstract

Background: The aim of this work was to assay the concentration levels and composition of welding fumes, released during flux cored arc welding, to assess exposure of welders. Materials and Methods: Concentrations and welding fume components, such as iron, manganese, chromium (including the soluble and chromium VI), nickel, copper, calcium, aluminium, barium, and fluorides (including hydrogen fluoride) were determined in the air of six industrial plants (shipyards, mechanical engineering plants and a power station) at the breathing zones of the welders who used 10 types of wires during flux cored arc welding. The following determination methods were used: gravimetry (fumes), AAS (metals), and spectrophotometry (chromium VI, fluorides - including hydrogen fluoride). Results: The results made it possible to determine the relationship between concentrations of welding fume and its elements, and to assess workerśs exposure. Time weighted average concentrations of the welding fumes and its elements at the workerśs breathing zone were: mg/m3: dust 0.2-24.3; Fe 0.2-6.7; Mn 0.01-1.8; Cr 0.004-0.5 (mainly Cr III ); Ca 0.004-2.5; Ni ≤ 0.004; Cu < 0.002-0.05; Al < 0.14-0.4; Ba < 0.14; F- 0.07-0.43. Conclusions: The welders using some types of flux cored welding wires worked in conditions harmful to their health owing to the considerably exceeded TLV value for fume and MAC values for manganese, and occasional slightly excessive MAC values for calcium and iron.

Key words

welding fumes, flux cored arc welding, determination of fume elements, evaluation of exposure