Health Effects: Fumes
Q: What compounds are found in common welding fume?
A: The most common compounds in arc welding fume mild steel are iron, manganese and silicon although other compounds in the electrode or on the base metal may be in the welding fume.
Q: What types of electrode products are likely to have chromium or nickel in the welding fume?
A: Fumes from the use of stainless steel and hardfacing products contain chromium or nickel.
Q: What are the potential health effects that may result from long-term overexposure to chromium or nickel?
A: Asthma has been reported and some forms of these metals are known or suspected to cause lung cancer in processes other than welding. Therefore, it is recommended that precautions be taken to keep exposures as low as possible.
Q: What are the potential health effects that may result from sustained overexposure to manganese?
A: Manganese overexposure may affect the central nervous system, resulting in poor coordination, difficulty in speaking and tremor of arms or legs. This condition is considered irreversible.
Q: What are the long-term health effects associated with exposure to welding fume?
A: Check an LH70 MSDS sheet, including comments on siderosis and irritation of nose and throat.
Q: What are the potential health effects that may result from overexposure to zinc?
A: Overexposure to zinc may cause fume fever with symptoms similar to the common flu.
Q: What is a common source of zinc in welding fume?
A: Zinc in welding fume usually comes from welding on galvanized steel.
Warnings
Q: Where can you find safety instructions regarding welding products that you use?
A: Each welding power source and container of consumable product has a warning label which contains specific safety instructions regarding the arc welding product you have chosen to use.
Q: What information is contained on a material safety data sheet (MSDS)?
A: An MSDS contains additional information including a summary of the Hazardous Materials used to manufacture the product, a summary of Fire and Explosion Hazard Data, Health Hazard Data and Reactivity Data, and information on the precautions to observe for the Safe Handling and Use of the product.
Q: Where can you find the MSDS for the consumable product you are using?
A: Inside each Lincoln Electric consumable container. It can also be found on the Lincoln Electric website, on the AWS website and from your supervisor.
Q: Since fumes and gases can be dangerous to your health, what three steps should you take to protect yourself?
A: 1) Keep fumes and gases from your breathing zone and general area 2) Keep your head out of the fumes 3) Use enough ventilation or exhaust at the arc, or both, to keep fumes and gases from your breathing zone and general area.
Q: What additional precautions should be followed for products that require special ventilation?
A: If special ventilation products are used indoors, use local exhaust. If special ventilation products are used outdoors, a respirator may be required.
Q: What types of products generally require special ventilation?
A: Hardfacing and stainless products.
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