• Welding fume exposure assessed in welders, welding robot operators, and bystanders. • Baseline manganese exceeded EU occupational exposure limit for manual welders. • Preventive measures reduced welding fume exposure for welders and bystanders. • Powered air-purifying respirators provided low effective protection factor. • Findings emphasize the need to apply the Hierarchy of Controls to protect workers.
Assenhöj et al. (Sun,) studied this question.