Characterization of inhalable, thoracic, and respirable fractions and ultrafine particle exposure during grinding, brazing, and welding activities in a mechanical engineering factory.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the emission sources of fine and ultrafine particles (UFPs) during brazing, welding, and grinding in a mechanical engineering factory and to characterize UFP exposure by measuring size distributions, number, and surface area concentrations.


METHODS
Samplings lasted 4 hours and were conducted during 5 days using the Grimm 1.109 portable aerosol spectrometer, the Grimm portable NanoCheck™ 1.320, the electrical low pressure impactor, and the nanoparticle aerosol monitor AeroTrak™ 9000.


RESULTS
Higher concentrations of fine particles were observed in welding and grinding activities. The highest values of UFP number and alveolar surface area concentrations were detected in the welding booth.


CONCLUSIONS
Potential emission sources of fine particles and UFPs can be identified by the multifaceted approach outlined in this study. This sampling strategy provides important data on key UFP metrics.
Institute of Occupational Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy. iavicoli.ivo@rm.unicatt.it
Ivo
I
Iavicoli
Veruscka
V
Leso
Luca
L
Fontana
Danilo
D
Cottica
Antonio
A
Bergamaschi
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D007558:Italy; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D010316:Particle Size; D012494:Sampling Studies; D014896:Welding
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational