Heavy metals found in the breathing zone,toenails and lung function of welders working in an air-conditioned welding workplace

Hariri, Azian and Mohamad Noor, Noraishah and Paimana, Nuur Azreen and Ahmad Zaidi, Ahmad Mujahid and Zainal Bakri, Siti Farhana (2017) Heavy metals found in the breathing zone,toenails and lung function of welders working in an air-conditioned welding workplace. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 24 (4). pp. 646-651. ISSN 1080-3548

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Official URL: http://10.1080/10803548.2017.1368950

Abstract

Welding operations are rarely conducted in an air-conditioned room. However, a company would set its welding operations in an air-conditioned room to maintain the humidity level needed to reduce hydrogen cracks in the specimen being welded. This study intended to assess the exposure to metal elements in the welders’ breathing zone and toenail samples. Heavy metal concentration was analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The lung function test was also conducted and analysed using statistical approaches. Chromium and manganese concentrations in the breathing zone exceeded the permissible exposure limit stipulated by Malaysian regulations. A similar trend was obtained in the concentration of heavy metals in the breathing zone air sampling and in the welders’ toenails. Although there was no statistically significant decrease in the lung function of welders, it is suggested that exposure control through engineering and administrative approaches should be considered for workplace safety and health improvement.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Welding fumes; Toenail biomarker; Malaysia; Pulmonary function
Subjects:	T Technology > TS Manufactures > TS200-770 Metal manufactures. Metalworking
Divisions:	Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering > Department of Mechanical Engineering
Depositing User:	Mrs. Siti Noraida Miskan
Date Deposited:	17 Nov 2021 03:16
Last Modified:	17 Nov 2021 03:16
URI:	http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/id/eprint/3392

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