Estimation of Chromium and Nickel in Biological samples of Welders and Risk Evaluation at Welding works in Islamabad, Rawalpindi (P-0794) (MFN 4875)

Abstract

Welding is a fabrication process used to join materials, usually metals that generates a complex airborne mixture of metal fume, other particulates and gases. This study aims at simultaneous estimation of chromium and nickel in biological samples of stainless steel welders and risk estimation of physical and chemical hazards at workplace. Eight physical hazards are identified at two working sites which are temperature, noise, electrocution, slip/trip/fall, fire, confined works area, ventilation and ergonomics during a walk through survey. Both of the sites were found to be at high risk with respect to these hazards. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used for the estimation of Nickel (Ni+2) and Chromium (Cr+6) in the biological fluids of fourteen (14) welders at the chosen sites. The concentrations are found to be as follows: Urinary Ni and Cr at site one (1) 0.009-0.0385μg/mL and 0.001-0.0103μg/mL and blood Ni and Cr 0.012-0.031μg/mL and 0.001-0.0085μg/mL respectively, whereas at site 2 concentrations of Ni and Cr in urine are 0.001-0.009 μg/mL and 0.001-0.002μg/mL and that in blood Ni and Cr are 0.019-0.029μg/mL and 0.001-0.0032μg/mL respectively. Concentrations of Ni and Cr in majority of the individuals were greater than the prescribed reference values for healthy individuals. Correlations are calculated between age and the levels of Ni and Cr in the biological fluids. All the correlations had positive values varying from insignificant 22% to positive and strong value of 74%. The correlation of urinary Ni with age, however, revealed a negative 26% correlation at site one (1). Moreover, the urinary concentrations of Cr and Ni were found to be more than that of blood but the risk factors are observed to be reverse since urine is an excretory product hence the trace metals are eliminated each time an adult urinates contrary to the case of blood which is a non-excretory essential fluid. Therefore, the workforce was declared to be at a potent level of risk with respect to trace metal concentrations in blood, and on a potential to lower level of risk with respect to the urinary metal concentrations.