Exposure assessment for heavy metals of PM2.5 and respirable particles in welding industry

• Main Authors: Liao wei heng, 廖唯亨
• Other Authors: Chen Hsiu Ling
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/11854222056532759701

碩士 === 弘光科技大學 === 職業安全與防災研究所 === 102 === The welding fume produces in the welding process. Many heavy metals include iron, manganese and other metal components in welding fume, which are inhaled by the workers, and further cause health effects of the welders. This study elevated the concentrations of thoric and respirable particles in the different working areas of a fitness equipment manufacturer in Changhuacounty. The particle concentration and heavy metals were also evaluated in this kind of welding industry. Nitric acid was added into the filter samples before microwave digestion. After digestion, the digestive solution was filleted by 0.4 μm membrane filter and further quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, ICP-MS). The analysis heavy metals include content of iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), fierce metal. In manual welding area, chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) were significantly higher than those in other regions.Cr and Ni were classified in Group3 (still not sure whether carcinogenic to humans) and Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) by the IARC, respectively. Therefore, the welders exposure to welding fume for long-term will increasing the carcinogenicityrisk . The result of this study show that PM2.5concentrations in the regional fitness equipment factory as the follows: manual welding area (0.95 mg/m3)> automatic welding area (0.55mg/m3)> punching area (0.54mg/m3) > cutting area (0.21mg/m3); Respirable particle (4.0 μm 50% cut off)concentration as the follows: manual welding zone (1.46mg/m3)> automatic welding area (1.25mg/m3)> punching area (0.83mg/m3)>cutting area(0.58mg/m3). All of them did not exceed the stipulated by EPA air quality standards, as well as the Permissible exposure level (PEL) (5mg/m3). It is recommended that the welders should wear the protective respirators, or to carry out the deployment of personnel, reduction of working hours, regular rotation for the temporary improvement in the workplace. Meanwhile, the employers should follow the health of the employeeregularly.