Tungsten inert gas welding on stainless steel: a hazard evaluation

The mean iron, chromium, hexavalent chromium, chromium, nickel, and manganese levels were found to be will below the TLV-TWA set by ACGIH. The hexavalen chromium (total of soluble and insoluble Cr+6) mean was equal to the NIOSH proposed standard for water insoluble hexavalent chromium. The mean nickel concentration was slightly below the NIOSH proposed standard. Ozone was found at levels 16 times higher that the ACHIH standard in the plume but none was found inside the welder's helmet. Nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide were not found in significant amounts. The quantities of ozone found warrants more extensive sampling in future studies. This study supports previous studies which demonstrate that the welding helmet provides protection against welding fumes and gases. The protection factor ranged from 0.92 to 7.2. TIG welding on stainless steel, as conducted at the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant, and based on the levels set by the ACGIH, is a safe operation.