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Development and characterization of a resistance spot welding aerosol generator and inhalation exposure system.

Afshari A; Zeidler-Erdely PC; McKinney W; Chen BT; Jackson M; Schwegler-Berry D; Friend S; Cumpston A; Cumpston JL; Leonard HD; Meighan TG; Frazer DG; Antonini JM

Inhal Toxicol 2014 Oct; 26(12):708-719

https://doi.org/10.3109/08958378.2014.941118

20045174

Limited information exists regarding the health risks associated with inhaling aerosols that are generated during resistance spot welding of metals treated with adhesives. Toxicology studies evaluating spot welding aerosols are non-existent. A resistance spot welding aerosol generator and inhalation exposure system was developed. The system was designed by directing strips of sheet metal that were treated with an adhesive to two electrodes of a spot welder. Spot welds were made at a specified distance from each other by a computer-controlled welding gun in a fume collection chamber. Different target aerosol concentrations were maintained within the exposure chamber during a 4-h exposure period. In addition, the exposure system was run in two modes, spark and no spark, which resulted in different chemical profiles and particle size distributions. Complex aerosols were produced that contained both metal particulates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Size distribution of the particles was multimodal. The majority of particles were chain-like agglomerates of ultrafine primary particles. The submicron mode of agglomerated particles accounted for the largest portion of particles in terms of particle number. Metal expulsion during spot welding caused the formation of larger, more spherical particles (spatter). These spatter particles appeared in the micron size mode and accounted for the greatest amount of particles in terms of mass. With this system, it is possible to examine potential mechanisms by which spot welding aerosols can affect health, as well as assess which component of the aerosol may be responsible for adverse health outcomes.

Welders; Welding; Metal-fumes; Metal-compounds; Aerosols; Aerosol-generators; Inhalants; Inhalation-studies; Laboratory-testing; Exposure-assessment; Adhesives; Volatiles; Organic-compounds; Fumes; Gases; Exposure-chambers; Particulates; Aerosol-particles; Testing-equipment; Author Keywords: Aerosol generators; fumes; gases; inhalation; resistance spot welding

James M. Antonini, Ph.D., Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Mailstop 2015, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA

INHTE5

20141001

Journal Article

jga6@cdc.gov

2015

M102014

12

0895-8378

HELD

Construction

Inhalation Toxicology

WV