A STUDY ON THE OCCURRENCE OF HEAVY-METALS IN THE SUSPENDED PARTICULATE MATTER IN AN ARC-WELDING WORKSHOP

A sample of suspended particulate matter in the indoor air of a steel welding workshop located in an industrial area of Raipur was collected and analysed for toxic metals (Cu, Co, Cr, Cd, Fe, Ph, Mn, Ni, Zn and Hg). A sample of the welding electrodes was also analysed. The occurr ences of the heavy metals in the suspended particulate matter were fou nd in the order: Fe > Mn > Cr > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cu > Co > Hg > Cd. The same order was found in the electrode material, which suggested the tr ansfer of toxic metals from the welding electrodes to the particulate matter generated in the workplace during the are welding process.