Welding Fumes

[Kayos]

Going through some tool and bits that were my father's the other day I found a bottle of mercury, I'm sure it will come in handy for something , I just can't think of anything at the moment!

Hat making?

 

[WorkshopChris]

Going through some tool and bits that were my father's the other day I found a bottle of mercury, I'm sure it will come in handy for something , I just can't think of anything at the moment!

Make your own tilt switches maybe.

 

[Shox Dr]

Going through some tool and bits that were my father's the other day I found a bottle of mercury, I'm sure it will come in handy for something , I just can't think of anything at the moment!

I was given a small bottle some time ago to dispose of. Not knowning the best place to take it, I decided it was safer left in the bottle.

 

[nickk]

In the 70's we had a big tank of it in the workshop, used to wash the grease off our hands in it

I just used to sniff it once I'd cleaned something.
Aah those carefree days.

 

[Rig Pig]

I was given a small bottle some time ago to dispose of. Not knowning the best place to take it, I decided it was safer left in the bottle.

That's my current best idea as well.

 

[Kent]

I dont post these days but being ex industry I get to know things before most on here. This has been published recently and I thought you should all be made aware. I dont think its much of a shock as many have suspected this to be the case for many years but published confirmation adds weight. If you are employed you should bring this to the attention of your employer and make sure that everything possible is done to lessen the risks.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has updated its classification for welding fumes and UV radiation from welding to Group 1 carcinogens, the agency’s designation for agents that carry sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans.

A previous IARC assessment done in 1989 classified welding fumes and UV exposure in Group B as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”

In March, a group of 17 scientists from 10 countries met to reevaluate the risk welding fume exposure presents to people based on new evidence that has since accumulated from observational and experimental studies.

In a report published in May's The Lancet Oncology, researchers found that arc welding generates UV radiation: a risk factor for various cancers of the eye and eye burns.

Welding fumes were also found to increase the risk of lung cancer, and to some degree kidney cancer and chronic inflammation. Researchers also noted that solvents used for cleaning metal in tandem with welding, such as trichloroethylene, showed an increased risk for kidney cancer.

OSHA's suggestions to reduce exposure to welding fumes include:

• Welding surfaces should be cleaned of any coating that could potentially create toxic exposure, such as solvent residue and paint.
• Workers should position themselves to avoid breathing welding fume and gases. For example, workers should stay upwind when welding in open or outdoor environments. General ventilation, the natural or forced movement of fresh air, can reduce fume and gas levels in the work area. Welding outdoors or in open work spaces does not guarantee adequate ventilation. In work areas without ventilation and exhaust systems, welders should use natural drafts along with proper positioning to keep fume and gases away from themselves and other workers.
• Local exhaust ventilation systems can be used to remove fume and gases from the welder’s breathing zone. Keep fume hoods, fume extractor guns and vacuum nozzles close to the plume source to remove the maximum amount of fume and gases. Portable or flexible exhaust systems can be positioned so that fume and gases are drawn away from the welder. Keep exhaust ports away from other workers.
• Consider substituting a lower fume-generating or less toxic welding type or consumable.
• Do not weld in confined spaces without ventilation. Refer to applicable OSHA regulations
• Respiratory protection may be required if work practices and ventilation do not reduce exposures to safe levels.

NIOSH offers many resources for welders seeking information on protective gear and best safety practices.

Thank you. Hopefully this might save somebody or thier health

 

[Farside]

Going through some tool and bits that were my father's the other day I found a bottle of mercury, I'm sure it will come in handy for something , I just can't think of anything at the moment!

Perfect for refilling one of these...

 

[Rig Pig]

The good old mercury arc rectifier, hell of a thing.

 

[Robotstar5]

The good old mercury arc rectifier, hell of a thing.

We used to have a variation on those, called an Ignitron, used in spot welding controllers.

 

[Richard.]

All fume isn't particularly great on the bag pipes but The ones to really watch for are hardfacing/cladding consumables particularly in open arc (gasless processes)
These contain alsorts of wonderful things like chromium, nickel, cobalt, etc etc and the fume is serious stuff.
@TechnicAl I like your post. It may be alarming but there are some that need an alarm to start looking after themselves.
We have this argument over and over about what's good and what's not (thoriated tungstens, brake cleaners, welding fumes, processes.) and it's a simple solution.......... protect your self, assume the worst and crack on.
I'm not about to start heavy research on all the potential harmful elements involved in all the welding/grinding/cleaning activities I do and start been selective on whether I use protection based on there class/severity, I'm going to assume (probably rightly) that none of them are gonna be much fun to inhale so I'll protect myself wherever possible from them all and just get on with it. I think trying to be selective with when and where to look after yourself with things like fume is potentially playing a long term gamble with your health. That's my take on it. Better to have and not need than need and not have