Metals in particulate matter (PM) are considered a driving factor for many pathologies. Despite the
hazards associated with particulate metals, personal exposures for at-risk workers are rarely assessed
due to the cost and effort associated with monitoring. As a result, routine exposure assessments are performed
for only a small fraction of the exposed workforce. The objective of this research was to evaluate
a relatively new technology, microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs), for measuring the
metals content in welding fumes. Fumes from three common welding techniques (shielded metal arc,
metal inert gas, and tungsten inert gas welding) were sampled in two welding shops. Concentrations of
acid-extractable Fe, Cu, Ni, and Cr were measured and independently verified using inductively coupled
plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Results from the μPAD sensors agreed well
with ICP-OES analysis; the two methods gave statistically similar results in >80% of the samples analyzed.
Analytical costs for the μPAD technique were ~50 times lower than market-rate costs with ICPOES.
Further, the μPAD method was capable of providing same-day results (as opposed several weeks
for ICP laboratory analysis). Results of this work suggest that μPAD sensors are a viable, yet inexpensive
alternative to traditional analytic methods for transition metals in welding fume PM. These sensors
have potential to enable substantially higher levels of hazard surveillance for a given resource cost, especially
in resource-limited environments.