Analysis of manganese exposure level in different welding jobs and its effect on welding workers' health / 中国职业医学

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the difference of manganese exposure level in different types of welding jobs and its effects on electric welding workers' health. METHODS: Eight-seven electric welding workers recruited in 2009 were selected by cluster sampling method as exposure group. The exposure group was divided into low,middle and high sub-exposure groups based on the different manganese exposure levels in workplace air. Thirty administrative and technical personnel were selected as control group. Manganese exposure levels of exposure group in workplace air were continuously measured from 2009 to 2013 for 5 years. The urine manganese levels of control and exposure groups were detected. Occupational health examination was conducted in these two groups in 2013. RESULTS: The trend of manganese exposure level in workplace air of exposure group from low to high was submerged arc welding post < gas tungsten arc welding post < hand welding post( P < 0. 01). The urine manganese levels in exposure group in 2010-2013 were higher than those of control group in the same corresponding year( P < 0. 01). With the increase of manganese exposure time,urine manganese levels increased in exposure group and the 3 sub-exposure groups( P < 0. 01); in 2012 and 2013,the urine manganese levels of exposure group showed an increasing trend with the increase of manganese exposure level( P < 0. 01). The positive rates of dizziness,body ache and memory lost in exposure group had an increasing trend with the increase of manganese exposure level( P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: The difference of manganese exposure level in different types of welding jobs affects the urine manganese levels and health status of electric welding workers.