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Manganese exposures during shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) in an enclosed space.
J Occup Environ Hyg. 2005 Aug; 2(8):375-82.JO

Abstract

The work reported here evaluates the effectiveness of various rates of dilution ventilation in controlling welder exposures to manganese in shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) fume when working in enclosed or restricted spaces. Personal and area monitoring using total and respirable sampling techniques, along with multiple analytical techniques, was conducted during the welding operations. With 2000 cubic feet per minute (CFM) (56.63 m3/min) dilution ventilation, personal breathing zone concentrations for the welder using 1/8 inches (3.18 mm) E6010 and E7018 mild steel electrodes were within 75% of the existing threshold limit value (TLV of 0.2 mg/m3 for total manganese and were five times greater than the 2001-2003 proposed respirable manganese TLV of 0.03 mg/m3. Manganese concentrations using high manganese content electrodes were five times greater than those for E6010 and E7018 electrodes. Area samples upstream and downstream of the welder using E6010 and E7018 electrodes exceeded 0.2 mg/m3 manganese. Concentrations inside and outside the welding helmet do not indicate diversion of welding fume by the welding helmet from the welder's breathing zone. There was close agreement between respirable manganese and total manganese fume concentrations. Total fume concentrations measured by gravimetric analysis of matched-weight, mixed cellulose ester filters were comparable to those measured via preweighed PVC filter media. This study indicates that 2000 CFM general dilution ventilation per 29 CFR 1910.252 (c)(2) may not be a sufficient means of controlling respirable manganese exposures for either welders or their helpers in restricted or enclosed spaces. In the absence of site-specific monitoring data indicating otherwise, it is prudent to employ respiratory protection or source capture ventilation for SMAW with E6010, E7018, and high manganese content electrodes rather than depending solely on 2000 CFM general dilution ventilation in enclosed spaces.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Harris MK
Hamlin & Harris, Inc., Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808, USA. hamlinharris@cox.net
Ewing WM
No affiliation info available
Longo W
No affiliation info available
DePasquale C
No affiliation info available
Mount MD
No affiliation info available
Hatfield R
No affiliation info available
Stapleton R
No affiliation info available

MeSH

Confined SpacesEnvironmental MonitoringHead Protective DevicesHumansInhalation ExposureManganeseOccupational ExposureThreshold Limit ValuesVentilationWelding

Pub Type(s)

Evaluation Study
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

16080259

Citation

Harris, Michael K., et al. "Manganese Exposures During Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) in an Enclosed Space." Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, vol. 2, no. 8, 2005, pp. 375-82.
Harris MK, Ewing WM, Longo W, et al. Manganese exposures during shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) in an enclosed space. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2005;2(8):375-82.
Harris, M. K., Ewing, W. M., Longo, W., DePasquale, C., Mount, M. D., Hatfield, R., & Stapleton, R. (2005). Manganese exposures during shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) in an enclosed space. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 2(8), 375-82.
Harris MK, et al. Manganese Exposures During Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) in an Enclosed Space. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2005;2(8):375-82. PubMed PMID: 16080259.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Manganese exposures during shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) in an enclosed space. AU - Harris,Michael K, AU - Ewing,William M, AU - Longo,William, AU - DePasquale,Christopher, AU - Mount,Michael D, AU - Hatfield,Richard, AU - Stapleton,Randall, PY - 2005/8/6/pubmed PY - 2005/11/16/medline PY - 2005/8/6/entrez SP - 375 EP - 82 JF - Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene JO - J Occup Environ Hyg VL - 2 IS - 8 N2 - The work reported here evaluates the effectiveness of various rates of dilution ventilation in controlling welder exposures to manganese in shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) fume when working in enclosed or restricted spaces. Personal and area monitoring using total and respirable sampling techniques, along with multiple analytical techniques, was conducted during the welding operations. With 2000 cubic feet per minute (CFM) (56.63 m3/min) dilution ventilation, personal breathing zone concentrations for the welder using 1/8 inches (3.18 mm) E6010 and E7018 mild steel electrodes were within 75% of the existing threshold limit value (TLV of 0.2 mg/m3 for total manganese and were five times greater than the 2001-2003 proposed respirable manganese TLV of 0.03 mg/m3. Manganese concentrations using high manganese content electrodes were five times greater than those for E6010 and E7018 electrodes. Area samples upstream and downstream of the welder using E6010 and E7018 electrodes exceeded 0.2 mg/m3 manganese. Concentrations inside and outside the welding helmet do not indicate diversion of welding fume by the welding helmet from the welder's breathing zone. There was close agreement between respirable manganese and total manganese fume concentrations. Total fume concentrations measured by gravimetric analysis of matched-weight, mixed cellulose ester filters were comparable to those measured via preweighed PVC filter media. This study indicates that 2000 CFM general dilution ventilation per 29 CFR 1910.252 (c)(2) may not be a sufficient means of controlling respirable manganese exposures for either welders or their helpers in restricted or enclosed spaces. In the absence of site-specific monitoring data indicating otherwise, it is prudent to employ respiratory protection or source capture ventilation for SMAW with E6010, E7018, and high manganese content electrodes rather than depending solely on 2000 CFM general dilution ventilation in enclosed spaces. SN - 1545-9624 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/16080259/Manganese_exposures_during_shielded_metal_arc_welding__SMAW__in_an_enclosed_space_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -