AIHce Indianapolis

Evaluations

Education

RT 216
Welding Industrial Survey, Fume Generation and Characterization Studies

Tuesday | 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. |

Topic:
Construction Sites/Industry

Arranger: A. Siert, Xcel Energy, Denver, CO. Moderator: J. Spear, J.E. Spear Consulting LP, Magnolia, TX. Monitors: F. Anderson, Zachry Industrial, Inc., San Antonio, TX; B. Stott, AMEC, Calgary, ON, Canada.

Welding is among the most important and utilized industrial processes, and welders comprise one of the largest working populations. Yet from an industrial hygiene perspective much remains to be learned due to the large number of processes and exposure variables. Fume exposures are of concern, and opportunities exist to optimally select processes to reduce exposures. Welding process cost-benefit comparisons of technical feasibility, production rate, quality, cost, and exposure levels have been conducted to determine feasibility of process selection to reduce exposures. Welders experience higher rates of lung disease and cancer, yet the importance of specific air contaminants are not yet well understood. Epidemiologic studies have yielded equivocal results due to confounders and lack of exposure information. The large number of fume components and exposure variables complicates exposure assessments. Fume generation studies provide an opportunity to characterize fume components and emission levels by process and material and evaluate the effect of determinant variables in a controlled environment.

  • Cost-Benefit Comparison of Welding Processes by Technical Feasibility, Production Rate, Quality, Cost, and Exposure Levels.  J. Spear, J.E. Spear Consulting LP, Magnolia, TX.
  • Minimizing Hexavalent Chromium Exposures in Stainless Steel Welding: Research Findings. M. Keane, NIOSH, Morgantown, WV.
  • Generation of Fumes and Components Including Chromium, Manganese, and Iron by Welding Variables; and Welding Fume Filtration Efficiency and Pressure Drop Pattern of Respirators. C. Yoon, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
  • Innovative Welding Technologies to Reduce Hexavalent Chromium Exposures in DOD. K. Paulson, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Port Hueneme, CA.