As you may already know, welding certain metals releases fumes during the welding process. Each of these metals has their own characteristics, which may be harmful to your health or safety. While we strongly recommend protecting yourself by using a welding fume extractor, wearing a respirator, and keeping your work area well ventilated, it’s also important to understand the risks of being exposed to different welding fumes.
Aluminum: Acute exposure to aluminum dust and fumes can result in eye irritation. This doesn’t sound that bad, but when a welder is chronically exposed to aluminum fumes it can cause shortness of breath, weakness and possibly a chronic cough.
Antimony: Exposure to antimony can cause a variety of unappealing symptoms, some of which include irritation to the eyes, skin, nose, throat or mouth, coughing, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea and more. The fumes from this metal target the eyes, skin, respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Arsenic: Inhaling arsenic fumes can cause numerous acute effects, such as respiratory irritation, skin abnormalities, and eye irritation. Chronic exposure can lead to liver damage, cancer, kidney disease, blood disease, spotty pigmentation of the skin, dermatitis and other serious health conditions.
Cadmium: Often found on steel or in silver solder, exposure to high levels of cadmium over a short period of time can result in lung damage and flu-like systems, such as chills, fever, muscle pains, etc. When a person is chronically exposed to low levels of cadmium over an extended period of time the health concerns are more severe and include kidney disease, bone disease, lung disease and cancer.
These are only a few of the many fumes that are released from metals during the welding process. Make sure you check back with us next month to learn about more harmful welding fumes and stay protected with welding safety clothing and gear!
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