by Natalie Edwards

WARNING!!! Welding fumes may pose risks for lung cancer and nervous system damage. What??? And you could end up with a Parkinson's-like disease with extreme exposure? Help!!! Let's learn a bit more about the dangers of welding fumes...

 

Why are welding fumes dangerous?

Welding fumes are made up of a mixture of airborne gases and metal particles which can be highly toxic. The toxicity level depends on what is being welded and how. Some of the most dangerous contaminants include:

  • Manganese - this can cause serious damage to your brain and nervous system if inhaled. Workers with extreme exposure have been known to develop 'manganism', a Parkinson's-like disease making it difficult for sufferers to walk and move properly. Like Parkinson's, conditions of the disease include tremors, shaking, and a loss of muscle control that worsens over time.

  • Iron Oxide - this is found when welding with mild steel or iron (either the base metal or welding rod). It causes irritation of the nasal passages, throat and lungs.

  • Nickel and Chromium - found when welding stainless steel. Nickel will worsen asthma in sufferers. Chromium causes sinus problems, and both have been linked to causing cancer. This includes various types of cancer, including lung, larynx and urinary tract.

  • Cadmium - this is often used as a coating on steel to prevent rust. When welded, the resulting fumes can cause lung disease, emphysema, as well as kidney failure.

  • Lead Oxide - if the welded metal has been coated with paint that contains lead, the fumes are likely to contain lead oxide. Exposure can cause lead poisoning, where you become weak and develop anemia. Lead also harms your nervous system, kidneys, and reproductive system.

  • Asbestos - sometimes found in welding rods, if inhaled there is a risk of asbestos related diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma (aggressive cancer), and asbestosis (scarring of the lungs).

What are the health effects from exposure?

Short term effects:

  • Eye, nose, throat and lung irritation - symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, bronchitis, fluid in the lungs, and inflammation of the lungs.

  • Gastrointestinal issues including nausea, appetite loss, vomiting, cramps, and slow digestion.

  • Metal Fume Fever - flu-like symptoms occurring 4-12 hours after welding including chills, thirst, fever, muscle ache, chest soreness, coughing, wheezing, fatigue, nausea, and a metallic taste.

  • Temporary reduced lung function - breathing ability tends to get worse through the working week, and gradually improves when not exposed.

  • Death - Cadmium found in welding fumes can be fatal. Welding UV radiation reacts with oxygen and nitrogen in the air to form ozone and nitrogen oxides, which are deadly at high doses.

Long term effects:

  • Pneumonia - exposure will make you more prone to lung infections that can lead to severe and sometimes fatal pneumonia.

  • Occupational Asthma - while evidence from studies is not strong enough to claim welding fumes cause asthma, the chemicals chromium oxide and nickel oxide found in stainless steel fumes are known to cause asthma. Studies also show a number of welders hospitalised each year suffering from severe asthma leading to claim benefits.

  • Cancer - ALL welding fume is internationally classified as carcinogenic to humans (having the possibility of causing cancer)

 

How to stay safe

  1. Know what you're welding - identify the hazards

  2. Implement appropriate control measures

  3. Substitute hazardous materials with less hazardous materials

  4. Ensure there is appropriate ventilation in the work area

  5. Wear appropriate PPE for the job

 

For more information on keeping your workplace safe from welding fumes click here