Grant: Alliance Grants

This proposal has two main aims. The first aim is to determine how much fumes are produced for various welding processes and to characterize these fumes. We will also be looking at different electrodes, base materials, and currents commonly used in welding. We will then develop a model that will be included in a web based application that will use these results to estimate welders' exposure to welding fumes. We hope that this application will help welders and health and safety professional makes informed decision about their level of protection. The second project goal is to study more in detail the relationship between exposure and biomarkers in blood and exhaled breath condensate samples. We will be recruiting welders and collect air samples in their breathing zone while they are welding. In addition, we will be collecting blood and exhaled breath condensate samples just prior and after shift. We will measure metal concentrations in air, blood, and exhaled breath condensate samples to investigate if there is any relationship between air levels and blood and urine levels. Furthermore, we will be measuring various markers in blood and exhaled breath condensate samples to look at health effect of exposure to welding fumes. With this project we aim to better understand the relationship between exposure and respiratory and cardiac effects of welding fumes. Welding fumes are considered carcinogenic and it is important to understand the relationship between exposure and health effects to determine how to best protect welders.