Hazardous Fumes
The level of hazardous fume and gas exposure depends on three factors:
Welding Fumes Can Ruin Your Life
- The size of the space welders are working in
- The number of welders in the area
- The type of metals being welded, which can release toxic fumes and gases
Welding fumes are made of very small solid particles, that are the result of welding consumables, base metals, and base metal coatings. The general effects of breathing welding fumes include the following.
- Acute exposure: Short-term exposure to welding fumes and gases can result in eye, nose, and throat irritation, dizziness and nausea. Workers in the area who experience these symptoms should leave the area immediately, seek fresh air and obtain medical attention.
- Chronic exposure: Long-term exposure to welding fumes may eventually cause lung damage and various types of cancer, including lung, larynx and urinary tract.
- Suffocation: Gases such as helium, argon, and carbon dioxide displace oxygen in the air and can lead to suffocation, particularly when welding in confined or enclosed spaces. Carbon monoxide gas can form, posing a serious asphyxiation hazard.
Health effects: Health effects from certain fumes may include metal fume fever, stomach ulcers, kidney damage and nervous system damage. For instance, Beryllium is considered the most hazardous, causing chronic, incurable lung disease and cancer risks, even at very low exposures.
Below is a list of health effects of exposure to fumes from various substances.
- Aluminum: Respiratory irritation; risk of pulmonary fibrosis.
- Antimony: Respiratory irritation; cardiovascular problems.
- Arsenic: Lung cancer; systemic poisoning; skin disorders.
- Beryllium:. Lung cancer; chronic beryllium disease (CBD); highly toxic at low levels.
- Cadmium: Kidney and lung damage; carcinogenic; pulmonary edema; emphysema.
- Chromium - hexavalent (CrVI): Lung cancer; asthma; dermatitis; severe respiratory irritation.
- Cobalt: Lung disorders (asthma, fibrosis); potential carcinogen; heart conditions.
- Copper: Respiratory irritation; metal fume fever.
- Iron: Siderosis ("welder's lung"); benign pneumoconiosis.
- Lead: Neurological disorders; kidney dysfunction; anemia; reproductive toxicity.
- Manganese: Neurological damage; manganism (Parkinson's-like symptoms).
- Molybdenum: Respiratory irritation; joint pain; gout-like symptoms.
- Nickel: Lung and nasal cancers; dermatitis; respiratory sensitization.
- Silver: Argyria (permanent skin discoloration); respiratory irritation.
- Tin: Respiratory irritation; benign pneumoconiosis ("stannosis").
- Titanium: Lung irritation; potential pulmonary fibrosis.
- Vanadium: Respiratory tract irritation; asthma; pulmonary inflammation.
- Zinc: Metal fume fever; flu-like symptoms.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-6. Exposure to which fume is considered to be the most hazardous?
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