Biomonitoring of exposure to multiple metal components in urine, hair and nails of apprentice welders performing shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)

Abstract

Welding fumes are associated with various diseases. Increased air levels of metals were reported during welding. However, few multielement biomonitoring studies were conducted to assess the actual dose of metal components absorbed in apprentice welders in a learning environment. This research aimed to establish the nature and level of exposure to welding fumes and their metallic components in apprentice welders performing ‘Shielded Metal Arc Welding’ (SMAW), based on multi-element and multi-matrix analyses. A total of 86 apprentice welders were recruited in three different schools in Montreal, Québec, Canada. Twenty-one elements were measured in urine, hair, fingernail, and toenail samples collected at the beginning of the program and at the end of SMAW practical training. Concentrations of welding fumes and 12 metals were also determined in personal respirable air samples collected over a typical workday in a subgroup of 19 apprentices. Levels of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni) in urine and Mn in hair were higher in samples taken at the end of the SMAW module compared to the beginning of training, while there was no significant difference for the other elements or for nail concentrations. Geometric mean concentrations [5th-95th percentiles] reached 0.31 [0.032–2.84], 9.4 [3.1–51] and 0.87 [0.35–3.1] μg/g creat. in post-shift urine, respectively, for Mn, Fe and Ni, and 0.37 [0.46–6.4] μg Mn/g hair at the end of SWAW. Median concentrations [5th-95th percentiles] were 29 [4.6–1200], 120 [27–3100] and 0.31 [<LOQ-0.92] μg/m3 for Mn, Fe and Ni, respectively. The work showed that even short-term welding fume exposure in controlled environments, as observed in apprentice welders after SMAW process, increases internal exposure to metals. It also confirmed the interest of measurements in multiple matrices to assess internal metal exposure. The follow-up of apprentices during standard curriculum will allow to assess more long-term internal exposure due to other welding processes.