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PubMed1988

In vitro toxicity of welding fumes and their constituents.

Welding fumes from a wide variety of processes and applications were assayed for toxicity with BHK21 cell line and SHE primary cells in culture. The most toxic fumes are those from the manual metal arc welding of stainless steel (MMA/SS) (LD50 = 7-14 microgram/ml), although all other welding fumes tested are toxic, with potencies lower by a factor of 10-200. The activity of MMA/SS is presumably due to the presence of high concentrations of Cr(VI) in the soluble fraction: For all other fumes the lowered activity (LD50 = 80-800 microgram/ml) is limited mostly to the insoluble fraction, and in part can be related to the presence of MnO2 and Fe3O4 which are toxic at such levels in these cell culture assays. Slight discrepancies between survival tests for the two cell lines, and between survival and lactate dehydrogenate release for BHK, indicate a differential response to certain constituents of these complex materials. These results suggest the need for a battery of different types of assays for use in an eventual ranking of exposures for the purpose of relative risk assessment.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1995

Mechanical properties of laser-welded cast and wrought titanium.

This study evaluated the mechanical properties of laser-welded cast and wrought titanium base and compared them with those of a brazed type IV casting gold alloy. Ultimate tensile strength, 0.2% yield strength, and percent elongation were recorded for joined and unjoined bars of the previously mentioned materials. Sections of titanium bars were laser-welded, and gold alloy bars were brazed. Both joining methods significantly reduced the ductility of the material. The strength of the cast gold alloy was superior to that of titanium. However, the strength of the laser-welded titanium equaled that of the brazed gold alloy, which suggests that dental restorations made of cast and wrought titanium would satisfy ordinary clinical requirements.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2002

Chronic exposure to the ultraviolet radiation levels from arc welding does not result in obvious damage to the human corneal endothelium.

Occupational exposure of the cornea to ultraviolet radiation (UVR, e.g. in welding) is a well-known cause of 'arc eye' (photo-keratoconjunctivitis), but has also been considered to be a risk for the development of alterations in the size (polymegethism) and shape (pleomorphism) of the deeper-lying human corneal endothelial cells. Human data are however limited and so a further study was undertaken, with a control group. Non-contact specular micrographs of the central region of the corneal endothelium were obtained from 40 white males aged between 32 and 63 years; 20 were arc welders with an average of 25 +/- 7 years job experience, while the others were office workers (n = 20). All the welders reported occupational exposure to UVR (i.e. welders 'flashes') and up to 3 times per year. None of the subjects had a history of contact lens wear, major eye disease or surgery. The endothelial image was scanned, projected onto an overlay and cell border marking carried out in a masked fashion. The overlay was independently analysed, by a customised semi-automated method, providing cell-border-adjusted data on cell areas and cell shape (sides) on 124 to 260 cells per image. The endothelial cell density (ECD) values were also calculated from individual cell area values. All corneas appeared to be healthy, and showed no fluorescein staining indicating damage to the surface epithelium. Central corneal thickness values were normal at 0.531 +/- 0.031 (mean +/- SD) and 0.527 +/- 0.036 mm in the welders and non-welders respectively. All endothelia appeared healthy, with no evidence of cell oedema. The group-mean endothelial cell area was 393 +/- 35 and 392 +/- 21 microm2, ECD values were 2855 +/- 224 cells mm(-2) and 2852 +/- 210 cells mm(-2), while the percentages of 6-sided cells were 60 +/- 5.2 and 59 +/- 4.1% respectively. Cell area distributions were statistically identical (p > or = 0.8), and cell area-side relationships were marginally, but not statistically different. This study does not indicate that chronic ultraviolet radiation exposure, through occupational welding (mainly electrical arc), results in or is associated with endothelial cell polymegethism and pleomorphism. This may indicate that, despite the periodic flash welding exposures, the exposure levels are still below those needed to cause damage to the corneal endothelium. This study outcome can be taken to indicate that despite the occurrence of welders flash episodes, the eye protection habitually used by these workers was adequate to protect their corneal endothelium.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Phototoxic maculopathy after arc welding: value of multifocal ERG].

BACKGROUND: Phototoxic maculopathy most likely results from longer exposure to light from sources such as the sun, welding arcs, tungsten halogen lamp filaments or operation microscopes. The value of the multifocal ERG for the evaluation of functional defects in this rare entity has not been described to date. CASES: We describe the case of a 38-year-old male patient who presented to his local ophthalmologist with bilateral loss of vision and acute ocular pain after having worked for two hours at an electric welding arc. A foveal lesion was found in both eyes, resulting in a bilateral reduction of visual acuity. Nine months later, the patient underwent examination and further investigations at the university eye clinic in Tübingen. Visual field defects on both sides could be detected with automatic threshold perimetry. Using the multifocal ERG with a central element of 2 degrees diameter, a central defect was detected only for the right eye. CONCLUSIONS: In rare cases, a photic maculopathy can result from exposure to light during arc welding. It can be masked in the first days by a phototoxic keratitis. Multifocal ERG and automatic perimetry are useful tools for the detection and quantification of the functional defects.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Neuropsychological sequelae of exposure to welding fumes in a group of occupationally exposed men.

This study compares the neuropsychological function, emotional status, visual function, and illness prevalence of 76 former and current chemical industry welders primarily involved in steel welding, and exposed to welding fumes for an average of 24.9 years with that of 42 unexposed, non-welder controls. Health and occupational history questionnaires were administered, as were the neuropsychological tests included in the World Health Organization Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery, Luria Motor Test, and selected tests from the WAIS-III, and WMS-III. Emotional status tests included the BSI, POMS, BAI, and BDI, and vision tests included the Snellen near visual acuity, Lanthony d-15 color vision, Vistech Contrast Sensitivity, and Schirmer strips. While welders and controls performed similarly on tests of verbal skills, verbal retention, and auditory span, welders performed worse than controls on tests of verbal learning, working memory, cognitive flexibility, visuomotor processing speed, and motor efficiency. Welders had poorer color vision and emotional status, and increased prevalence of illnesses and psychiatric symptoms. The increased symptoms in welders were related to decreased scores on tasks measuring verbal learning, visuomotor abilities, visuospatial abilities, and information processing, and motor efficiency. Within the group of welders, the number of hours welding was negatively related to scores on verbal learning, auditory span, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and motor efficiency.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Chrome alloy welding fume study.

Breathing zone samples obtained at a production arc welding operation employing approximately 90 welders demonstrated excessive exposure to chromium from the welding of high chromium alloy steel. Breathing zone samples were collected inside welding helmets. Methods considered for reducing employee exposure included local exhaust ventilation and the use of air-supplied helmets. Air-supplied helmets were chosen as best suited for the production scheme and suitable devices were subsequently developed that reduced breathing zone contaminant levels well below applicable standards.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1990

Productivity, or quality of work as the decisive factor in marketing ergonomics? Design considerations for a new ergonomic welding-table.

Quality tools should be designed from the starting point of adjusting tasks and equipment to human possibilities and limitations. Companies should consider an investment in ergonomic equipment as a profitable addition to indispensable productive machinery. As an example to support this statement, the authors describe the health risks of welders and the possible solutions. As the result of investigations a list of requirements was drafted for a product that would have less of the disadvantages of the products mentioned. The designed product, the 'ergonomic welding-table', aims to be a quality tool for welders working at small and medium-sized tasks. The product consists of a cabin (2.35 m wide) with a built-in ventilator for very efficient welding-fume extraction (90%-95%). Welders can set their preferred working height at any time. Another advantage is the option of performing the welding task while standing or sitting. The results of user-evaluation among welders and purchasers indicates considerable satisfaction.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed1985

Speciation of hexavalent chromium in welding fumes interference by air oxidation of chromium.

The determination of various chromium species in welding fume normally involves digestion in a hot alkaline solution. This work confirms that Cr(III) can be oxidized to Cr(VI) during this digestion. However, only dissolved forms of Cr(III), such as the hydroxochromate(III) ion, [Cr(OH)4], are susceptible to oxidation under these conditions. The air oxidation of Cr(III) can be prevented by hydrolytic destabilization of the hydroxochromate(III) complex by the presence of magnesium hydroxide precipitate. The procedure has been used successfully in the determination of insoluble chromium(VI) in welding fumes. Excellent reproducibility is documented for soluble and insoluble chromium(VI) fractions in the analysis of a bulk sample of welding fume.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1989

On welding, wheezing, and whimsy.

The various exposures, hazards, and diseases that may be accounted by welders are described. The hazards of welding may be subdivided conveniently into acute toxic effects, chronic toxic effects, chronic respiratory effects, and carcinogenetic effects. Each is considered in turn and their effects on morbidity and mortality are discussed. The evidence suggests that welding is not a particularly hazardous occupation provided care is taken to limit exposure to the toxic effects of any fumes that are generated. Nonetheless, the technical aspects of welding are constantly undergoing change, and continual vigilance is necessary lest a new process introduces a formerly unrecognized hazard.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed1989

Characterization of the morphological properties of welding fume particles by transmission electron microscopy and digital image analysis.

The morphological characteristics of welding fume particles have been determined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and automatic image analysis (AIA). Two personal samples and one background sample were collected using a new, easy to handle sampling method, during tungsten inert gas (TIG) and manual metal arc (MMA) welding on Inconel in the same shop. The collection method gave samples which were suitable for TEM and AIA. Electron micrographs were taken in a transmission electron microscope and further analyzed using an image analysis unit. Aggregates composed of many individual particles were analyzed both for the parameters of the aggregate and for the parameters of the individual particles by using an algorithm based on a grain boundary reconstruction technique. The morphological parameters allowed the welding fume's particulate matter to be divided into three types - here called small, medium, and large - with a somewhat unclear distinction between medium and large. Medium and large particles occur either as individual particles or as clusters of approximately spherical particles with average diameters of 0.07 and 0.15 microm, respectively. Small particles occur almost exclusively as long chains or lace-like structures of aggregates of particles, often in the range of 5-10 microm. The aggregates have an average projected area of 2.6 x 10-3 microm2 and are composed of several hundred individual particles.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Exposures to quartz, diesel, dust, and welding fumes during heavy and highway construction.

Personal samples for exposure to dust, diesel exhaust, quartz, and welding fume were collected on heavy and highway construction workers. The respirable, thoracic, and inhalable fractions of dust and quartz exposures were estimated from 260 personal impactor samples. Respirable quartz exposures exceeded the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended exposure limit (REL) in 7-31% of cases for the trades sampled. More than 50% of the samples in the installation of drop ceilings and wall tiles and concrete finish operations exceeded the NIOSH REL for quartz. Thoracic exposures to quartz and dust exceeded respirable exposures by a factor of 4.5 and 2.8, respectively. Inhalable exposures to quartz and dust exceeded respirable exposures by a factor of 25.6 and 9.3, respectively. These findings are important due to the identification of quartz as a carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Fourteen percent of the personal samples for EC (n = 261), collected as a marker for diesel exhaust, exceeded the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) threshold limit value (TLV) for diesel exhaust. Seventeen of the 22 (77%) samples taken during a partially enclosed welding operation reached or exceeded the ACGIH TLV of 5 mg/m3 for welding fume.

Boston↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of hazards in CO2 laser welding and related processes.

High-power CO2 lasers are used extensively in various industrial applications. In most cases they form part of open-beam equipment and have a power of several kilowatts, and are thus designated as Safety Class 4 systems. In addition to the invisible i.r. laser beam (10.6 microns), u.v. radiation and visible light may be emitted. In the present work a power meter controlled by microprocessor and a spectroradiometer measured the scattered or reflected laser radiation. In addition, concentration levels of welding and cutting fumes and of pyrolysis products of plastics were determined during various laser processes. Finally, a safety analysis was performed to compare the hazards of laser welding with those of conventional welding methods: this showed that the use of laser systems can eliminate many traditional risks, but the worker must be protected not only against the coherent laser beam, but also from incoherent blue light and u.v. radiation.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2002

Failure after 5 years of self-regulation: a health and safety audit of New Zealand engineering companies carrying out welding.

The aim of this study was to audit the degree of compliance with new health and safety legislation 5 years after enactment in a typical cross-section of New Zealand manufacturing industries. To this end, 299 randomly selected enterprises using a welding process were visited by Occupational Safety and Health Officers of the Department of Labour. An interviewer-administered questionnaire concerning the nature of the hazards encountered in that enterprise and the chosen control measures employed to protect the health of their employees was undertaken and analysed. Only 40% of New Zealand businesses in this sample undertaking welding had adopted the most basic of regulatory requirements to control health and safety risks. This percentage seemed independent of employer size. Fundamental safety issues (e.g. welding in confined spaces) were ignored by >50% of enterprises. In conclusion, self-management of health and safety risks had not occurred in over half the enterprises surveyed.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed1988

Measurement of ultraviolet radiation emitted from welding arcs.

It is well known that exposure to UV radiation can result in short- and long-term injury to the eyes and skin. Exposure to UV radiation is generally associated with many production processes involving either the use of UV or the emission of unwanted UV as a by-product. Welding arc machines are widespread sources of intense UV, as well as visible and infrared radiation. To evaluate the hazard associated with UV exposure during welding processes, the spectral irradiance must be measured and weighted in terms of biological effectiveness. Standardization of routine field measurement procedures is difficult because the emission depends on time dependent parameters. This paper presents a procedure suitable for the spectral irradiance measurement of welding arcs in the 250-400 nm range as well as other unstable sources.

Environmental Exposure↗
PubMed1993

A study of thorium exposure during tungsten inert gas welding in an airline engineering population.

To investigate the theoretic possibility of excessive exposure to thorium during the process of tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding using thoriated rods we carried out a cross-sectional study of TIG welders and an age- and skill-matched group. We measured the radiation doses from inhaled thorium that was retained in the body and investigated whether any differences in health or biologic indices could have been attributable to the welding and tip-grinding process. Sixty-four TIG welders, 11 non-TIG welders, and 61 control subjects from an airline engineering population participated. All of the subjects were interviewed for biographic, occupational history and morbidity details. All of the welders and eight control subjects carried out large-volume urine sampling to recover thorium 232 and thorium 228; this group also had chest radiographs. All of the subjects had a blood sample taken to estimate liver enzymes, and they provided small-volume urine samples for the estimation of retinol-binding protein and beta 2-microglobulin. We found no excess of morbidity among the TIG or non-TIG welding groups, and the levels of retinol-binding protein and beta 2-microglobulin were the same for both groups. There was a higher aspartate aminotransferase level in the control group. The internal radiation doses were estimated at less than an annual level of intake in all cases, and considerably less if the exposure (as was the case) was assumed to be chronic over many years. Some additional precautionary measures are suggested to reduce further any potential hazard from this process.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

pH increase observed in exhaled breath condensate from welding fume exposure.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate changes in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH in healthy workers exposed to welding fumes. METHODS: Fourteen exposed participants (median age 39 years, 5 smokers) and 8 nonexposed controls (median age 44 years, 1 smoker) were monitored at an apprentice welding school. Exposure to fine particulate matter less than 2.5 microm (PM2.5) was assessed using cyclone samplers. EBC samples were collected at baseline and at the end of the work shift. EBC samples were deaerated using argon and pH values were measured using standard pH microelectrodes. RESULTS: Mean +/- SEM PM2.5 levels were 1.17 +/- 0.18 mg/m for exposed subjects and 0.03 +/- 0.01 mg/m for controls. Baseline median (range) EBC pH values for the control and exposed group were similar (P = 0.86), 7.21 (4.91 to 8.26), and 7.39 (4.85 to 7.79), respectively. The exposed subjects had a small-but-marginally significant (P = 0.07) pre- to post-work shift increase in pH of 0.28, whereas the control group showed a minimal increase of only 0.03 (P = 0.56). Compared with the control group, the exposed group had a median cross-shift pH increase of 0.25 (P = 0.49). CONCLUSIONS: The aerosolized fine particulate matter contained in metal fumes may be associated with an acute increase in EBC pH values. Further study is necessary to investigate the acute rise in EBC pH after acute exposure to welding fume.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Retinal burns caused by exposure to MIG-welding arcs: report of two cases.

A new generation of arc welder has recently become widely available at a price which is within reach of most amateurs and part-time mechanics, known as the MIG welder (metal-arc inert gas welder). In MIG welding the arc is ensheathed in a stream of inert gas which prevents the molten metal from oxidising. The stream of gas changes the character of the emitted radiation, and it is possible that this type of welder poses a greater threat to sight than previously recognised. Radiation in the ultraviolet range emitted by arc welders is absorbed by the unprotected cornea and lens, giving rise to a keratoconjunctivitis, or 'arc-eye,' which, though intensely painful, is not considered a threat to sight. Radiation in the visible and near infrared spectrum, however, penetrates the eye to be absorbed by the retina and may cause thermal or photochemical damage which may be permanent and sight-threatening. Retinal injuries resulting from exposure to ordinary electric welding arcs have been reported, but such injuries are uncommon. Two cases of retinal burns resulting from exposure to MIG welder emissions which presented on consecutive days to the Leicester Royal Infirmary are presented. This is the first report of such injuries relating specifically to MIG welding.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Kinetics of the metal components of intratracheally instilled stainless steel welding fume suspensions in rats.

The kinetics of iron, chromium, nickel, and cobalt from manual metal arc and metal inert gas stainless steel welding fumes were studied. Neutron activated welding fumes, in aqueous suspensions, were instilled intratracheally into rats. The follow up continued for up to 106 days. From both fumes, approximately 10% of the injection bolus was immediately lost into the gastrointestinal tract, to be recovered in the faeces within three days. Thereafter, a pronounced difference was seen in the kinetics of the two types of fumes. After the first day, chromium, nickel, and iron were lost from the lungs with half times of about 53, 49, and 73 days after exposure to MMA/SS fumes, whereas practically no loss could be seen in the metal components of the metal inert gas welding fumes within two months. The disposition of chromium from MMA/SS fumes closely resembled that of intratracheally instilled water soluble chromates. On the other hand, the disappearance of trivalent chromium from MIS/SS fumes was considerably slower than that of the practically water insoluble chromates, or even of trivalent chromium salts. Thus the physical characteristics of the fume appreciably affect the kinetics of the clearance of chromium compounds from the lungs.

Animals↗