Author(s): Albuquerque, Paula ; Gomes, João ; Miranda, R. ; Salvação, Helder
Date: 2017
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.21/7332
Origin: Repositório Científico do Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa
Subject(s): Occupational exposure; Metalo-mechanic industry; Welding fume; Nanoparticles; Portugal; IPL/2016/CEPPS_ESTeSL
Este trabalho foi financiado pelo Concurso Anual para Projetos de Investigação, Desenvolvimento, Inovação e Criação Artística (IDI&CA) 2016 do Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa. Código de referência: IPL/2016/CEPPS_ESTeSL
Some studies on occupational exposure to particulate have pointed out to hazardous effects to workers, in what regards inhalable and also respirable particulate. These occupational exposure scenarios are extremely complex as they involve components inherent to the individuals, working conditions and the developed activity itself. This requires the application of an integrated approach comprising diagnostic, evaluation and risk management, adapted to each specific situation. Regarding welding processes, several authors have shown the existence of asthma prevalence four-time higher in welders in the USA than in other population. Exposure to a specific type of welding depends on several factors such as the location of ventilation and exhaust equipment, the air flux, the amount of generated fumes, the workplace area, the distance from the welding front and the welding practices themselves. Bearing in mind these considerations, the following research question arises: which is the occupational exposure to welding fumes in the metalo-mechanic industries in Portugal? This work aims to perform a characterization and environmental evaluation in a specific situation: welding processes in the metalo-mechanic industry, and identify eventual alterations on workers’ health.
