API Publ 4629

This report details the findings from an air sampling survey contracted by the American Petroleum Institute (API) to evaluate inhalation exposures to hexavalent chromium (Chromium (VI) during seven types of hot work: carbon arc cutting (CAC), flux covered arc welding (FCAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW or MIG), grinding, gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW or TIG), oxyfuel gas cutting (OFC or torch cutting), and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW or stick). After the first edition of this report was published, it was determined that 15 samples from one of the projects were listed as carbon steel base metal and shold have been listed as stainless steel. While the original report was careful to point out the use of electrodes typical for stainless work, it was felt that a complete update was needed. Eighty-three samples were collected in October and Novermber 2005 at two petroleum sites during maintenance turnarounds by API member companies. An additional 188 samples were collected April-June 2006 at three diferent petroleum company sites by ICU Environmental Health and Safety. 271 total samples, 63 samples were at or above the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) action level of 2.5ug/m3 and 51 were at or above the OSHA permissable exposure limit of 5 ug/m3.