Chemical Health Risk Assessment of Exposure to Metal Fumes among Employed Workers in a Metal Manufactory with an Electric Arc Furnace

Abstract

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study is a chemical health risk assessment of exposure to metal fumes among employed workers in a metal manufactory with an electric arc furnace based on the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) method. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in a metal manufactory with an electric arc furnace in 2023. In this study, the method provided by the US-EPA organization was used to assess the health risk. First, workers exposure to Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), and Iron (Fe) metal fumes was measured. Then, the chemical risk assessment of exposure to metal fumes was performed. Finally, data analysis was conducted using the SPSS version 25 software. Results: The average concentration of Ni, Cr, Mn, and Fe metal fumes and the total fumes produced in the blast furnace process were evaluated as 0.183, 0.067, 0.308, and 10.55 mg/m3, respectively. The results of the chemical risk assessment using the US-EPA method showed that the noncarcinogenic risk was unacceptable for most of the workers who were exposed to metal fumes. The carcinogenic risk level of Ni was acceptable for all workers, but in some workers, the carcinogenic risk level of Cr was unacceptable. Conclusions: The employed workers in the metal manufactory with an electric arc furnace are exposed to various heavy metal fumes, so it is necessary to prioritize the intervention programs of technical and engineering controls. Therefore, it is possible to recommend the use of ventilation systems in the workplace and the necessity of performing other control measures.