303 Lessons learned from monitoring interventions at mild steel welding facilities

Abstract Welding constitutes a source of particles and dust that effects a large number of individuals at occupational environments throughout the world. Besides being classified as a carcinogen, welding fume has potential inflammatory properties and has been linked to cardiovascular disease. We monitored the exposure at two large manufacturing companies welding in mild steel before but also after extensive preventive actions. Exposure was assessed by collecting respirable dust and its metals through stationary and personal sampling at multiple occasions over the study. Particle levels were assessed by using handheld particle-counting instruments. Both workers doing actual welding but also workers not welding themselves provided blood, urine and nasal lavage fluid for biomonitoring of potential health effects including inflammation, cardiovascular, renal and upper airways effects. The interventions provided improvement in exposure for the workers at the companies. Some interventions appeared more successful with longevity while others only provided a temporary lowering lost over time. Use of welding helmet with integrated respirators were shown to be relatively non-effective at sufficiently lowering the exposure for welders in places with poor ventilation and local exhaust ventilation. The biomonitoring provided data investigated in relation to the exposure to further our understanding of potential health effects in both welders but also workers working in close proximity to the welding processes.