[Risk of absorption of fluoride in electrode arc welding]

The AA. in order to investigate the risk of fluoride absorption examined two factories in which arc-welding electrodes were used. They measured: a) fluoride content in two most used electrodes; b) airborne fluoride concentrations and dustness in the presumed respiratory area of welders with or without fume and dust capture devices; d) airborne fluoride concentrations and dustness three meters away from the welding place during unprotected work with basic electrodes; e) concentrations of fluoride in urine during a workweek in welders (n = 63) and in a control group (n. = 25). The AA. conclude that, in spite of the high teoretical risk of breathing fluoride, the intake of this compound is very low if welders are protected by easy devices.