Inhalation exposure in secondary aluminium smelting

Inhalation exposure at seven UK secondary aluminium smelters was investigat ed to quantify the main exposures and identify their sources, The substance s monitored were gases (carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide and nitrogen dio xide), total inhalable dust, metals, ammonia, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarb ons (PAHs), particulate fluoride salts and acids, The results showed that p eople were exposed to a range of workplace air pollutants. Personal exposur e results for total inhalable dust were between 700 and 5600 mug m(-3) and the maximum personal exposure result for particulate fluoride salts was 690 mug m(-3) (as F). The maximum aluminium, total PAH and lead personal expos ure results were 900, 19 and 18 mug m(-3) respectively. The average proport ion of aluminium in total inhalable dust samples was 13% and rotary furnace processes generated the most dust, Particulate fluoride salt exposure was more widespread than hydrofluoric acid exposure, The source of the salt exp osure was fluoride containing fluxes, The lead exposure source was lead sol der contamination in the furnace charge, Crown Copyright (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of British Occupational Hygiene Society. All rights reserved.