Effect of MIG/MAG welding energy on the generation of ultraviolet radiation (UVA) in sheet metal, according to occupational hygiene standards

Steel structures made of A36 steel have a major impact on the industrial sector due to their applicability in structures and components, from beams to columns and support bases. The ultraviolet radiation emitted by the arc welding process can be influencedby various factors. In order to determine the influence that the welding energy on metal structures can have on the increase of ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation, this study carried out experiments on MIG/MAG welding under the conditions of three shielding gases: 100%??2, 100%??and the mixture ??+25%??2and measured the radiation emitted 86 cm from the source in the welder's breathing zone. The values obtained for the effective irradiance were compared with each other and with the values used by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and analyzed using the OLS Regression method. The values foundwere in the range of 317–1226??/??², which are higher than the UVA radiation levels allowed by the ACGIH. UVA levels were significantly affected by the inert gases used. The effective irradiance varied with welding energy, with a greater proportional influence for the 100%??2gas compared to the other gases in the study.