This study aims to evaluate if metal concentrations in welders increase with exposure, and if exhaled breath condensates (EBCs) can be used as an alternative marker of metal exposures. The researchers note that EBCs are easy to collect, cost-effective to analyze, and more representative of the dose received by the welder than other assessment methods.

The research team will recruit 40 welders from British Columbia and Alberta. The participants will provide EBC samples by breathing into a tube similar to a breathalyzer, before and after their shifts. The samples will be analyzed to determine levels of metal concentrates. The researchers will also collect data on the use and type of respirator, if the respirator has been fit-tested, type of welding, exhaust ventilation, and other key factors. The results from the samples will be compared to samples collected from occupational air sampling. The research could lead to recommendations on how to control exposure, and will assess the potential for using this methodology to evaluate exposure to other metals and chemicals (i.e., paint and solvents).