Elemental analysis of particulate matter in a metal workshop and of biological samples from exposed workers

Abstract

During metal welding and cutting, large amounts of particulate matter (PM) are produced that might represent a significant health risk for the exposed workers. In the present pilot study, we performed an elemental analysis of fine PM collected in a metal workshop. Also, elemental analysis of the hair and nail samples collected from workers exposed to the workshop dust and control group was done. Concentrations of 15 elements in PM were measured with X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE), whereas inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine 12 elements in hair and nail samples. Mean 8-hr concentrations of PM 2.5 , Fe, and Mn in the vicinity of welders were up to 1803, 860, and 30 μg/m 3 , respectively, whereas in the nearby city, daily PM 2.5 concentrations are on average 11 μg/m 3. We found that several elements, especially Fe and Mn, had substantially higher concentrations in hair and nail samples of exposed workers than in the control group, which indicates the accumulation of metals in workers' tissues, although limit values were not exceeded.

Influence of number of visitors and weather conditions on airborne particulate matter mass concentrations at the Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia during summer and autumn

“…We also wanted to see the behaviour of the indoor PM 1 fraction over these months (that is, under the same local outdoor meteorological conditions), as – to the best of our knowledge – only a few studies reported any PM levels in indoor environments in Croatia, mostly urban, including schools and universities ( 10 , 11 ), or related to simulated or real occupational exposure in hospitals ( 12 ) and metal workshops ( 13 ), but none in rural background environment.…”

Source Apportionment of Particulate Matter in a Metal Workshop

“…The particles produced during welding usually have a diameter of less than 2.5 µm and often even less than 1 µm [ 6 , 7 ], which is why they enter the human respiratory tract relatively easily. Metals, which are usually essential components of these particles, can then accumulate in certain tissues and potentially cause health issues [ 4 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified welding fumes as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) [ 13 ].…”

X- ray experimental set-up for in-vitro nail test

“…Therefore, nails contain small quantities of trace elements such as S (its main component), Ca, Cu, Fe, Zn, and others [8; 9; 10]. Like blood and urine, nail samples can be used as biomarkers of several dysfunction : while Fe, Se, and Zn have been correlated with colorectal cancer risk [11], the evaluation of metals (Pb, Cd, Hg) in nails have also been performed to investigate toxicity effects in the organism [12,13,14,15].…”