Safety and Health at Work

Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (산업안전보건연구원)
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Characterization of Total and Size-Fractionated Manganese Exposure by Work Area in a Shipbuilding Yard

  • Jeong, Jee Yeon (Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Yong In University) ;
  • Park, Jong Su (Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency) ;
  • Kim, Pan Gyi (Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Yong In University)
  • Received : 2015.07.22
  • Accepted : 2015.12.15
  • Published : 2016.06.30
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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 $100{\mu}g/m^3$ 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 $20{\mu}g/m^3$ 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.

Keywords

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