Welding Fumes in a Chinese Shipyard: Exposure Characteristics and Occupational Health Risk Assessment

Welding fumes in the shipbuilding industry severely threaten workers’ health. This study systematically investigated welding fume exposure in a Chinese shipyard, analyzing mass concentration, particle size distribution, and harmful metal content using data from 2015. Differences were observed across welding sites and processes. Confined spaces and gas metal arc welding (GMAW) were associated with significantly higher exposure levels. Welding fumes were dominated by particles smaller than 1.00 μm, a distribution influenced by welding site, distance from the welding spot, and process. Iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) were the predominant metal components, with concentrations significantly higher in respirable dust than in total dust. Risk assessment indicated minimal non-cancer hazards for Fe, zinc, and copper. However, Mn posed the predominant risk (Hazard Quotient >> 1), while nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) also exceeded safety thresholds at most points. Consequently, confined spaces and GMAW should be prioritized as key control targets in shipyards, as respirable dust rich in metal-bearing particles poses greater health risks. Therefore, China urgently requires the establishment of specific occupational exposure limits for respirable welding fumes. Additionally, personal sampling is more focused and efficient than area sampling for precise occupational health risk assessment due to the greater mobility of welding operations.