The effect of mask fit test on the association between the concentration of metals in biological samples and the results of time‐weighted average personal exposure: A study on Japanese male welders

OBJECTIVES: The mask fit test confirms whether the wearing condition of the wearer's face and the facepiece of the respirators are used appropriately. This study aimed to examine whether the results of the mask fit test affect the association between the concentration of metals related to welding fumes in biological samples and the results of time‐weighted average (TWA) personal exposures. METHODS: A total of 94 male welders were recruited. Blood and urine samples were obtained from all participants to measure the metal exposure levels. Using personal exposure measurements, the 8‐h TWA (8 h‐TWA) of respirable dust, TWA of respirable Mn, and 8‐h TWA of respirable Mn were calculated. The mask fit test was performed using the quantitative method specified in the Japanese Industrial Standard T8150:2021. RESULTS: Fifty‐four participants (57%) passed the mask fit test. Only in the Fail group of the mask fit test, it was observed that blood Mn concentrations be positively associated with the results of TWA personal exposure after adjusting for multivariate factors (8‐h TWA of respirable dust; coefficient, 0.066; standard error (SE), 0.028; P = 0.018, TWA of respirable Mn: coefficient, 0.048; SE, 0.020; P = 0.019, 8 h‐TWA of respirable Mn: coefficient, 0.041; SE, 0.020; P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: The results clarify that welders with high concentrations of welding fumes in their breathing air zone are exposed to dust and Mn if there is leaking air owing to the lack of fitness between respirators and the wearer's face when using human samples in Japan.