Saf Health Work.  2016 Jun;7(2):150-155. 10.1016/j.shaw.2015.12.003.

Characterization of Total and Size-Fractionated Manganese Exposure by Work Area in a Shipbuilding Yard

• Jeong JY
• Park JS
• Kim PG

• KMID: 2388291
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2015.12.003

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Shipbuilding involves intensive welding activities, and welders are exposed to a variety of metal fumes, including manganese, that may be associated with neurological impairments. This study aimed to characterize total and size-fractionated manganese exposure resulting from welding operations in shipbuilding work areas.
METHODS
In this study, we characterized manganese-containing particulates with an emphasis on total mass (n = 86, closed-face 37-mm cassette samplers) and particle size-selective mass concentrations (n = 86, 8-stage cascade impactor samplers), particle size distributions, and a comparison of exposure levels determined using personal cassette and impactor samplers.
RESULTS
Our results suggest that 67.4% of all samples were above the current American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists manganese threshold limit value of 100 μg/m3 as inhalable mass. Furthermore, most of the particles containing manganese in the welding process were of the size of respirable particulates, and 90.7% of all samples exceeded the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists threshold limit value of 20 μg/m3 for respirable manganese.
CONCLUSION
The concentrations measured with the two sampler types (cassette: total mass; impactor: inhalable mass) were significantly correlated (r = 0.964, p < 0.001), but the total concentration obtained using cassette samplers was lower than the inhalable concentration of impactor samplers.

Keyword

exposure; manganese; particle size; shipbuilding; welding fume

MeSH Terms

Humans
Manganese*
Particle Size
Welding
Manganese