Quantifying relevant exposure determinants and conditions of use for welding emissions.

Abstract

Background: Conditions of Use (CoU) defines the operational conditions and risk management measures that result in adequately controlled exposure. It is mandatory to provide CoUs in Exposure Scenarios for the REACH legislation. CoU assessment based on similar exposure groups is a case-specific approach and not very efficient. We demonstrate how to quantify relevant exposure determinants and find optimal CoUs for welding using probabilistic exposure modelling.

Methods: Single and two-compartment models were applied to calculate exposure levels under specified conditions for five welding processes with the highest emissions. Model performance was tested using independently reported emissions and two field measurement studies.

Results: Welding fume concentrations were predicted within the range of 0.93 to 3.4 times the measured levels for three different welding scenarios, where two scenarios were repeated with four and five different ventilation rates. CoUs were quantified for welding with five different electrodes when welding is performed without local exhaust ventilation controls, with a fume extraction torch, and with local exhaust ventilation. The exposure level was adequately controlled for three electrodes when controls were applied. Exposure assessment refinement proposals were given based on the relevant exposure determinants. The maximum emission factor was calculated for total fume emissions. A proposal for emission labelling was established.

Conclusions: CoU quantification was successfully demonstrated for total welding fume emissions. CoU results can be applied for welding processes where emissions are less than specified for the operational conditions specified here. Only total fume emissions were considered here, which may not be the limiting factor for risk; volatile and individual metal emissions were not considered. The approach applies to point sources for which emissions are adequately characterized. CoU assessment can be used to develop emission labelling and process specific safety actions. Compared to the traditional case-specific approach, modeling using this general approach will significantly improve cost-effectiveness.