Welding Hazards and Precautions
Fumes
The welding process produces visible smoke that contains harmful metal fume and gas by-products.
Welding Fumes - Risk and Solutions
Welding fumes are made of very small solid particles, that are the result of welding consumables, base metals, and base metal coatings.
- Fumes include aluminum, antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silver, tin, titanium, vanadium, and zinc.
Health effects. The health effects of breathing welding fumes include the following.
- Acute exposure. Short-term exposure to welding fume 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 fume may eventually cause lung damage and various types of cancer, including lung, larynx and urinary tract.
- Health effects. Health effects from certain fumes may include metal fume fever, stomach ulcers, kidney damage and nervous system damage. Prolonged exposure to manganese fume can cause Parkinson's-like symptoms.
- 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.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-6. Chronic exposure to welding fumes may eventually cause _____.
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