Table 1.

Metal composition of Gas Metal Arc Welding-Mild Steel fume. The fume was analyzed for aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), silicon (Si), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy. Samples were prepared according to the NIOSH method 7303 modified for microwave digestion. Trace amounts of Al, Cr, Ni, Si, Ti, and V were found. Note: Values are means ± standard error (n = 3 welding fume collection periods of 30 min). Weight % is relative to all metals analyzed.

Metals	Fume Weight % of Metals
Fe	83.67 ± 0.47
Mn	14.33 ± 0.37
Cu	0.13 ± 0.03