Wolfy Wolf
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I had a look around the forum and i'm not sure where this should go, so if a kind mod could shift it to the appropriate place that would be grand.
I recently had a good look into the respiratory side of welding and came up with a list of reasons for using a good ventiilation system, be it natural, personal respirator, or extraction system.
Health Effects of Fumes, Gases and Organic Vapours Produced During Welding
Aluminum
Aluminum component of some alloys, e.g., Inconels, copper, zinc, steel, magnesium, brass and filler materials.
Respiratory irritant.
Beryllium
Hardening agent found in copper, magnesium, aluminum alloys and electrical contacts.
“Metal Fume Fever.” A carcinogen. Other chronic effects include damage to the respiratory tract.
Cadmium Oxides
Stainless steel containing cadmium or plated materials, zinc alloy. Irritation of respiratory system, sore and dry throat, chest pain and breathing difficulty. Chronic effects include kidney damage and emphysema. Suspected carcinogen.
Chromium
Most stainless-steel and high-alloy materials, welding rods. Also used as plating material.
Increased risk of lung cancer. Some individuals may develop skin irritation. Some forms are carcinogens (hexavalent chromium).
Copper
Alloys such as Monel, brass, bronze. Also some welding rods.
Acute effects include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, nausea and “Metal Fume Fever.”
Fluorides
Common electrode coating and flux material for both low- and high-alloy steels.
Acute effect is irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. Long-term exposures may result in bone and joint problems. Chronic effects also include excess fluid in the lungs.
Iron Oxide
The major contaminant in all iron or steel welding processes.
Siderosis – a benign form of lung disease caused by particles deposited in the lungs. Acute symptoms include irritation of the nose and lungs. Tends to clear up when exposure stops.
Lead
Solder, brass and bronze alloys, primer/coating on steels.
Chronic effects to nervous system, kidneys, digestive system and mental capacity. Can cause lead poisoning.
Manganese
Most welding processes, especially high-tensile steels.
“Metal Fume Fever.” Chronic effects may include central nervous system problems.
Molybdenum
Steel alloys, iron, stainless steel, nickel alloys, Grease from lubrication.
Acute effects are eye, nose and throat irritation, and shortness of breath.
Nickel
Stainless steel, Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy and other high-alloy materials, welding rods and plated steel.
Acute effect is irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. Increased cancer risk has been noted in occupations other than welding. Also associated with dermatitis and lung problems.
Vanadium
Some steel alloys, iron, stainless steel, nickel alloys.
Acute effect is irritation of the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Chronic effects include bronchitis, retinitis, fluid in the lungs and pneumonia.
Zinc Oxides
Galvanized and painted metal.
“Metal Fume Fever.”
Carbon Monoxide
Formed in the arc.
Absorbed readily into the bloodstream, causing headaches, dizziness or muscular weakness. High concentrations may result in unconsciousness and death.
Hydrogen Fluoride
Decomposition of rod coatings.
Irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. Overexposure can cause lung, kidney, bone and liver damage. Chronic exposure can result in chronic irritation of the nose, throat and bronchi.
Nitrogen Oxide
Formed in the arc.
Eye, nose and throat irritation in low concentrations. Abnormal fluid in the lung and other serious effects at higher concentrations. Chronic effects include lung problems such as emphysema.
Oxygen Deficiency
Welding in confined spaces, and air displacement by shielding gas.
Dizziness, mental confusion, asphyxiation and death.
Ozone
Formed in the welding arc, especially during plasma-arc, MIG and TIG processes.
Acute effects include fluid in the lungs and hemorrhaging. Very low concentrations (e.g., one part per million) cause headaches and dryness of the eyes. Chronic effects include significant changes in lung function.
Aldehydes
(such as formaldehyde) Metal coating with binders and pigments. Degreasing solvents.
Irritant to eyes and respiratory tract.
Di-isocyanates
Metal with polyurethane paint.
Eye, nose and throat irritation. High possibility of sensitization, producing asthmatic or other allergic symptoms, even at very low exposures.
Phosgene
Metal with residual degreasing solvents. (Phosgene is formed by reaction of the solvent and welding radiation.)
Severe irritant to eyes, nose and respiratory system. Symptoms may be delayed.
Phosphine
Metal coated with rust inhibitors. (Phosphine is formed by reaction of the rust inhibitor with welding radiation.)
Irritant to eyes and respiratory system, can damage kidneys and other organs.
I recently had a good look into the respiratory side of welding and came up with a list of reasons for using a good ventiilation system, be it natural, personal respirator, or extraction system.
Health Effects of Fumes, Gases and Organic Vapours Produced During Welding
Aluminum
Aluminum component of some alloys, e.g., Inconels, copper, zinc, steel, magnesium, brass and filler materials.
Respiratory irritant.
Beryllium
Hardening agent found in copper, magnesium, aluminum alloys and electrical contacts.
“Metal Fume Fever.” A carcinogen. Other chronic effects include damage to the respiratory tract.
Cadmium Oxides
Stainless steel containing cadmium or plated materials, zinc alloy. Irritation of respiratory system, sore and dry throat, chest pain and breathing difficulty. Chronic effects include kidney damage and emphysema. Suspected carcinogen.
Chromium
Most stainless-steel and high-alloy materials, welding rods. Also used as plating material.
Increased risk of lung cancer. Some individuals may develop skin irritation. Some forms are carcinogens (hexavalent chromium).
Copper
Alloys such as Monel, brass, bronze. Also some welding rods.
Acute effects include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, nausea and “Metal Fume Fever.”
Fluorides
Common electrode coating and flux material for both low- and high-alloy steels.
Acute effect is irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. Long-term exposures may result in bone and joint problems. Chronic effects also include excess fluid in the lungs.
Iron Oxide
The major contaminant in all iron or steel welding processes.
Siderosis – a benign form of lung disease caused by particles deposited in the lungs. Acute symptoms include irritation of the nose and lungs. Tends to clear up when exposure stops.
Lead
Solder, brass and bronze alloys, primer/coating on steels.
Chronic effects to nervous system, kidneys, digestive system and mental capacity. Can cause lead poisoning.
Manganese
Most welding processes, especially high-tensile steels.
“Metal Fume Fever.” Chronic effects may include central nervous system problems.
Molybdenum
Steel alloys, iron, stainless steel, nickel alloys, Grease from lubrication.
Acute effects are eye, nose and throat irritation, and shortness of breath.
Nickel
Stainless steel, Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy and other high-alloy materials, welding rods and plated steel.
Acute effect is irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. Increased cancer risk has been noted in occupations other than welding. Also associated with dermatitis and lung problems.
Vanadium
Some steel alloys, iron, stainless steel, nickel alloys.
Acute effect is irritation of the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Chronic effects include bronchitis, retinitis, fluid in the lungs and pneumonia.
Zinc Oxides
Galvanized and painted metal.
“Metal Fume Fever.”
Carbon Monoxide
Formed in the arc.
Absorbed readily into the bloodstream, causing headaches, dizziness or muscular weakness. High concentrations may result in unconsciousness and death.
Hydrogen Fluoride
Decomposition of rod coatings.
Irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. Overexposure can cause lung, kidney, bone and liver damage. Chronic exposure can result in chronic irritation of the nose, throat and bronchi.
Nitrogen Oxide
Formed in the arc.
Eye, nose and throat irritation in low concentrations. Abnormal fluid in the lung and other serious effects at higher concentrations. Chronic effects include lung problems such as emphysema.
Oxygen Deficiency
Welding in confined spaces, and air displacement by shielding gas.
Dizziness, mental confusion, asphyxiation and death.
Ozone
Formed in the welding arc, especially during plasma-arc, MIG and TIG processes.
Acute effects include fluid in the lungs and hemorrhaging. Very low concentrations (e.g., one part per million) cause headaches and dryness of the eyes. Chronic effects include significant changes in lung function.
Aldehydes
(such as formaldehyde) Metal coating with binders and pigments. Degreasing solvents.
Irritant to eyes and respiratory tract.
Di-isocyanates
Metal with polyurethane paint.
Eye, nose and throat irritation. High possibility of sensitization, producing asthmatic or other allergic symptoms, even at very low exposures.
Phosgene
Metal with residual degreasing solvents. (Phosgene is formed by reaction of the solvent and welding radiation.)
Severe irritant to eyes, nose and respiratory system. Symptoms may be delayed.
Phosphine
Metal coated with rust inhibitors. (Phosphine is formed by reaction of the rust inhibitor with welding radiation.)
Irritant to eyes and respiratory system, can damage kidneys and other organs.