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Characterisation of Particles Emitted during Laser Cutting of Various Metal Sheets and an Exposure Assessment for the Laser Operators

Author

Listed:
  • Stine Eriksen Hammer

    (National Institute of Occupational Health, 0363 Oslo, Norway)

  • Johanne Østereng Halvorsen

    (National Institute of Occupational Health, 0363 Oslo, Norway)

  • Pål Graff

    (National Institute of Occupational Health, 0363 Oslo, Norway)

  • Torunn Kringlen Ervik

    (National Institute of Occupational Health, 0363 Oslo, Norway)

Abstract

Laser cutting is used in many industrial settings to achieve precise cuts of metal sheets. Laser operators may be exposed to particles formed during cutting when opening the cabinet or when metal sheets are exchanged. To characterise the potential exposure, particles formed during laser cutting were studied with scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray detector and an energy backscatter diffraction detector. The total concentration of particles (11–615 nm) was determined online with a scanning mobility particle sizer. The chemical composition of the particles formed during the cutting of the different metal sheets was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). X-ray diffraction was applied to determine the phase composition. The occupational exposure was assessed gravimetrically and by ICP-MS for five laser operators handling different laser cutters, and materials and were found to be low. Agglomerates and aggregates of condensation particles were formed during laser cutting, independent of the sheet type. Iron, present as both magnetite and α-Fe, was the main element found in the particles formed when cutting steel sheets. The size of the particles generated was mainly below 300 nm. Open laser cutters may lead to higher metal exposures, which is especially relevant when cutting metal sheets containing heavy metals.

Suggested Citation

  • Stine Eriksen Hammer & Johanne Østereng Halvorsen & Pål Graff & Torunn Kringlen Ervik, 2022. "Characterisation of Particles Emitted during Laser Cutting of Various Metal Sheets and an Exposure Assessment for the Laser Operators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-13, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:16:p:9888-:d:885365
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yue Wu & Jun-Ming Gu & Yun Huang & Yan-Ying Duan & Rui-Xue Huang & Jian-An Hu, 2016. "Dose-Response Relationship between Cumulative Occupational Lead Exposure and the Associated Health Damages: A 20-Year Cohort Study of a Smelter in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-12, March.
    2. Pål Graff & Bengt Ståhlbom & Eva Nordenberg & Andreas Graichen & Pontus Johansson & Helen Karlsson, 2017. "Evaluating Measuring Techniques for Occupational Exposure during Additive Manufacturing of Metals: A Pilot Study," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(S1), pages 120-129, November.
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