Determination of airborne nanoparticles from welding operations.
The aim of this study is to assess the levels of airborne ultrafine particles emitted in welding processes (tungsten inert gas [TIG], metal active gas [MAG] of carbon steel, and friction stir welding [FSW] of aluminum) in terms of deposited area in pulmonary alveolar tract using a nanoparticle surface area monitor (NSAM) analyzer. The obtained results showed the dependence of process parameters on emitted ultrafine particles and demonstrated the presence of ultrafine particles compared to background levels. Data indicated that the process that resulted in the lowest levels of alveolar deposited surface area (ADSA) was FSW, followed by TIG and MAG. However, all tested processes resulted in significant concentrations of ultrafine particles being deposited in humans lungs of exposed workers.
IBB-Instituto de Biotecnologia e Bioengenharia/Instituto Superior Técnico-Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal. jgomes@deq.isel.ipl.pt
João Fernando Pereira
JF
Gomes
Paula Cristina Silva
PC
Albuquerque
Rosa Maria Mendes
RM
Miranda
Maria Teresa Freire
MT
Vieira
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000737:chemistry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000032:analysis*; D008954:Models, Biological; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011174:Portugal; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000737:chemistry*; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry*; D014132:Trachea / Q000737:chemistry; D014896:Welding / Q000379:methods; D017132:Workplace
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational