Development and testing of a new sampler for welding fume

The development of a new sampler having an inhalable entry and a porous foam plug, which can partition the respirable and non-respirable fractions of the sampled air, is described. The rationale for this partitioning is that welding fume is primarily respirable, where dust generated by other welding related processes is generally non-respirable. The sampler is designed to operate inside the welder’s face shield, and its attachment configuration fulfils the requirements stated in the proposed European Standard for welding fume sampling (CEN, 1996). The aspiration efficiency agrees well with that of a breathing mannequin wearing a face shield, although it undersamples compared to the inhalable convention (CEN, 1993) in wind tunnel tests. The penetration of welding fume through the porous foam is consistently around 72%, comparable to that through a conventional personal cyclone. Field trials have indicated that the sampler does not obstruct nodal work activity or vision. Finally, the new sampler has been included in the proposed European Standard.