Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026

Whole-Body Nanoparticle Aerosol Inhalation Exposures
Published on: May 7, 2013
Exposure to inhalable, respirable, and ultrafine particles in welding fume
Martin Lehnert1, Beate Pesch, Anne Lotz
1Center of Epidemiology, Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany.
Abstract:
This investigation aims to explore determinants of exposure to particle size-specific welding fume. Area sampling of ultrafine particles (UFP) was performed at 33 worksites in parallel with the collection of respirable particles. Personal sampling of respirable and inhalable particles was carried out in the breathing zone of 241 welders. Median mass concentrations were 2.48 mg m(-3) for inhalable and 1.29 mg m(-3) for respirable particles when excluding 26 users of powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs). Mass concentrations were highest when flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) with gas was applied (median of inhalable particles: 11.6 mg m(-3)). Measurements of particles were frequently below the limit of detection (LOD), especially inside PAPRs or during tungsten inert gas welding (TIG). However, TIG generated a high number of small particles, including UFP. We imputed measurements
Related Concept Videos
Asthma-I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction
Types of Toxins
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Interference
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction

