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Welding Fumes in a Chinese Shipyard: Exposure Characteristics and Occupational Health Risk Assessment.
Yulu Hu1, Jingbo Zhang2, Xiangpei Lyu1
1National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
Toxics
|March 27, 2026
Summary
Welding fumes in shipyards pose significant health risks, especially in confined spaces and during gas metal arc welding (GMAW). Manganese in respirable dust presents the primary hazard, necessitating stricter exposure limits and targeted controls.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Science
- Industrial Hygiene
Background:
- Welding fumes in shipbuilding are a major occupational health concern.
- Exposure levels vary significantly based on location and welding method.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically investigate welding fume exposure in a Chinese shipyard.
- To analyze fume characteristics, including mass concentration, particle size, and metal content.
- To assess associated health risks for workers.
Main Methods:
- Data collection from a Chinese shipyard in 2015.
- Analysis of mass concentration and particle size distribution.
- Determination of harmful metal content (Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, Zn, Cu) in welding fumes.
Main Results:
- Confined spaces and gas metal arc welding (GMAW) showed higher exposure levels.
- Fumes were dominated by fine particles (<1.00 μm), influenced by site, distance, and process.
- Manganese (Mn) posed the highest non-cancer risk (Hazard Quotient >> 1), with Ni and Cr also exceeding thresholds.
Conclusions:
- Respirable dust in welding fumes, particularly from confined spaces and GMAW, presents significant health risks.
- China needs specific occupational exposure limits for respirable welding fumes.
- Personal sampling is more effective than area sampling for risk assessment in mobile welding operations.
