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Ozone: a critical contaminant produced during gas metal arc welding (GMAW) on aluminum alloys—resolving the short- versus long-duration sampling discrepancy

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Abstract

Ozone is one of the gases produced during argon-shielded arc welding on aluminum alloys. Arc welding superimposes multiple episodes of intense emission of short duration onto the background level during the work shift. Short-duration exposures during welding were measured using colorimetric detector tubes and long-duration exposures, by colorimetric badges utilizing similar chemistry. Both devices were positioned on the lapel in the breathing zone. Many of the short-duration samples exceeded the 8-h TLV–TWA (threshold limit value–time-weighted average) of 0.08 ppm for moderate work during argon-shielded gas metal arc welding (GMAW) also known as metal inert gas (MIG) welding. Some short-duration samples exceeded the transient limit of 0.24 ppm (3× the TLV–TWA), and several exceeded the maximum of 0.40 ppm (5× the TLV–TWA). Exceedance of the maximum in jurisdictions using TLVs as exposure limits necessitates control measures including effective local exhaust ventilation and respiratory protection. Ozone was undetectable (< 0.04 ppm) during gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) also known as tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding. During long-duration sampling, almost all levels during GMAW were ≤ 0.08 ppm h (≤ 0.01 ppm averaged over 8 h), the limit of detection of the sampling device. As a result, ozone is a critical gaseous contaminant (requiring control measures) during GMAW (MIG welding). Protection of the eyes against irritation in sensitive individuals dominates other considerations.

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Funding

This work is financially supported by CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior), Brasilia, DF, Brasil and CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico), formerly Conselho Nacional de Pesquisas, Brasilia, DF, Brasil (the Brazililian National Research Council).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NorthWest Occupational Health & Safety, 1174 Chamberlain Drive, North Vancouver, BC, V7K 1P3, Canada

    Thomas Neil McManus

  2. Programa de Engenharia Ambiental, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-972, Brazil

    Thomas Neil McManus

  3. Escola Politécnica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 21941-972, Brazil

    Assed N. Haddad

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  1. Thomas Neil McManus
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  2. Assed N. Haddad
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Correspondence to Thomas Neil McManus.

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McManus, T.N., Haddad, A.N. Ozone: a critical contaminant produced during gas metal arc welding (GMAW) on aluminum alloys—resolving the short- versus long-duration sampling discrepancy. Air Qual Atmos Health 12, 97–106 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-018-0634-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-018-0634-9

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