Variation of ozone concentration and UV radiation intensity during welding process

Abstract

The welding is one of most high-risk occupation. Welders are exposed to hazardous fumes and gases during welding operation and tend to suffer from occupational respiratory diseases such as welding pneumoconiosis and asthma. Welding can be a major source of ultraviolet radiation as well as intense visible light and some infrared irradiation. The aim of this investigation was to assess the ozone concentration and UV radiation formed and distributed in the workplace environment during different intensity of the welding processes. The ozone and UV radiation intensity were measured at different distance from the welding electrode, that worked by different electric current strenght. Dependence of these parameters from welding regime was established. Their levels in the workplace environment increase with increasing the welding current. During research of the change of ozone and UV intensity at the different distances from the source, the largest concentration was detected at the distance of 25 cm from the electrode: it was 1850±20 µg/m3; and the most intense UVB radiation was 0.6±0.018 mW/cm2. It was established that with the current strength of 45 A the dose of UVA was 7235±360 mJ/cm2, and UVB was 4030±200 mJ/cm2; and after the change of current into 315 A, UVA dose reached 67210±3360, 67±2 mJ/cm2, and UVB was 6910±345 mJ/cm2. Results of UVA and UVB radiation intensity under different electric current strength were established. It was shown that at 1 m distance from the electrode the ozone concentration and UV radiation intensity decreases 2.5 times, therefore the persons working with welding should be at the enough far distance from electrode in order to reduce its effect on their health.