Measurements of air concentrations of thorium during grinding and welding operations using thoriated tungsten electrodes.

An evaluation was performed to determine whether thorium was present in concentrations above the derived air concentration during grinding and welding operations using thoriated tungsten electrodes. A few of the advantages of using thoriated tungsten electrodes in industry include easier are starting, greater stability, and reduced weld metal contamination. The electrodes used in this evaluation contained 2% thoria (thorium oxide) and were either 2.4 mm or 3.9 mm in diameter. Personal breathing zone and area air samples were collected for the experienced welders participating in this evaluation during grinding operations. The results during the grinding operations for personal and area air samples were generally below the derived air concentration (DAC) for 232Th for solubility class Y of 0.04 Bq m-3 (1 x 10(-12) microCi mL-1) as per 10 CFR 20. The area samples collected during welding operations were below the DAC.