This study was conducted to evaluate worker exposure to welding fume in automobile body shop and to evaluate metal components by type of welding. The results are summarized as follows :
1. Average concentrations of total welding fume without and with ventilation were 5.2 ㎎/㎥ and 2.49 ㎎/㎥, respectively. Thus, the average reduction rate of total fume by ventilation was 52.1 %.
2. The highest fume concentration was indicated at shielded arc welding, followed by CO₂ gas welding, argon arc welding, and spot welding in order of decreasing concentration.
3. Average respirable fume concentrations without and with ventilation were 2.97 ㎎/㎥ and 1.64 ㎎/㎥, respectively.
4. Further analysis of welding fume indicated that total fume consisted of Fe₂O₃, ZnO, Mn, Pb, and CuO, in order of decreasing amount. Combined effect of metals was below the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs).
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