Abstract
The plasma torch, because it concentrates large amounts of thermal energy in a small volume, has become increasingly popular in industry. During the past fifteen years, the plasma torch has developed into an important industrial tool, and it has been used for metal cutting and welding fabricating operations that would not be possible otherwise. However, along with technological advances, the plasma torch has presented new problems to the industrial hygiene field. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss these problems and the extent of industrial hygienist's awareness of them. A brief outline of the theory of the plasma torch and the history and scope of its industrial usage is also presented.