Urinary fluoride concentration as an estimator of welding fume exposure from basic electrodes

Urinary fluoride concentrations have been measured in electric arc welders using basic electrodes. The fluoride concentration and the total welding fume concentration in air showed a linear relation with postshift urinary fluoride concentration. The measured concentrations were below internationally recommended postshift urinary fluoride concentrations believed to cause fluorosis. Biological monitoring by postshift urinary fluoride measurements is evaluated for the prediction of total welding fume exposure, when a specific basic electrode was used, by means of confidence limits and tests of validity.