Welding fumes are a complex mixture of metals that vary in composition based on the components of the base metal, coatings and/or filler materials and the temperatures used in the welding process. Adverse health effects associated with welding fumes include short-term illnesses and illnesses resulting from long-term exposure.
Health organizations noticed an augmentation in the risks of lung cancer for these workers. The INRS (French National Research and Safety Institute) even claims that there is a causal relationship between exposure to welding fumes and the development of lung cancer.
It is therefore essential to understand the health hazards which employees are exposed to, in order to protect them with the adequate equipment.
Fumes and gases can cause acute conditions (toxic, irritant, or allergic effects) as well as chronic diseases (lung infections caused by dust).
Acute effects of welding fumes (short-term exposure)
Welders and workshop operators are not exposed to the same risks depending on the length of their exposure to welding fumes (in the case of a high concentration of fumes in the air for a more or less extended duration). Indeed, there are acute risks (the effects of which result, in general, from short term exposure) and chronic risks (which result from prolonged / repeated exposure).
Let’s first look at the potential acute risks which can arise from short term exposure:
- Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat: Gases and fine particles in welding fume can cause dryness of the throat, tickling, coughing or a tight chest. The effects tend to be short lived.
- Pulmonary oedema: Extreme exposure to ozone can cause pulmonary oedema (fluid on the lungs).
- Poisoning/ asphyxia: Inhaling welding fumes can lead to poisoning, a condition in which you become weak and develop anemia (a low red blood cell count).
- Metal fume fever, is an illness caused primarily by exposure to certain fumes. Workers breathe in fumes from chemicals such as, which are created by heating or welding certain metals, particularly galvanized steel. The symptoms are nonspecific but are generally flu-like including fever, chills, nausea, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, joint pains, shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough.
Chronic effects of welding fumes (long-term exposure)
After the first acute risks occur, chronic risks may appear following extended end repeated exposure to welding fumes. These risks represent a greater danger for health and can have irreversible effects.
Here are the main types of chronic risks to which welders and workers may be exposed:
- Chronic bronchitis is chronic inflammation and irritation of the bronchial tree.
- Rhinitis is irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose. A variety of substances cause rhinitis.
- Pneumoconiosis (siderosis or welder's lung) is an occupational illness. Pneumoconiosis diseases are all caused by the inhalation of welding fumes which is retained in the lungs. In the case of Welder’s Lung, the disease results from the inhalation of iron particles. For example, if a welder is dealing with metals containing iron, than he or she might breathe in these particles which are often emitted in the welding fumes.
- Central nervous system or digestive system involvement: The nervous system, kidneys, digestive system and mental capacity may be affected due to the exposure to lead, manganese or cadmium oxides.
- Skin or mucous lesions: Repeated or prolonged overexposure can damage the mucous membranes of the nasal passages and cause ulcers to form. In some cases the damage is so severe that the septum (the wall separating the nasal passages) develops a hole. Skin exposure to hexavalent chromium over prolonged periods can cause ulcers to form. Some workers develop an allergic sensitization to chromium. In sensitized workers, contact with even very tiny amounts can cause a serious skin rash.
These chronic conditions are often irreversible and may permanently impact your workers’ quality of life. In order to prevent the development of such illnesses, it is essential to set up welding fumes extraction solutions that follow the recommended exposure limits prescribed by occupational health and safety organizations.
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