FURTHER STUDIES ON THE EXPOSURE OF WELDERS TO FUMES, CHROMIUM, NICKEL AND GASES IN DUTCH INDUSTRIES: PLASMA WELDING AND CUTTING OF STAINLESS STEEL

The exposure of plasma welders and plasma cutters, at the work place in Dutch industries, to fumes, chromium and nickel during the welding or cutting of stainless steel has been investigated. The exposure to the gases NO 2 , NO and ozone is also discussed. In comparison with the Dutch occupational health standards, it appears that the fume exposure is often higher than the limit value of 5 mg m−3 in plasma cutting. In microplasma welding high ozone exposures have been detected; this was mainly due to the short distance between the welder's face and the plasma torch. This problem can be solved... Mehr ...