|
Welding Fume Hazards
Welding is tough work. Not many who begin as welders
retire as welders. Eventually practically every welder
develops cataracts. Neck and back problems are also a
foregone conclusion.
There is also a long list of possible health problems
depending on the type of welding. Recently, the Occupational
Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) identified hexavalent
chromium as a suspect carcinogen and put out a new regulation
on its exposure (29 CFR 1910.1026-General Industry) and
(29 CFR 1926.1126-Construction). The most likely exposure
to “Chrome VI” is welding of stainless steel or chrome,
especially when using chromium-containing welding rods
when doing stick welding.
Other welding health hazards include:
Manganese From carbon steel or heavy production welding
of other steel can cause nerve system damage resulting
in Parkinsons Disease.
Nickel From nickel alloy electrodes, nickel plating,
cryogenic steels—nickel, like Chromium VI, is a suspect
cancer causing agent.
Lead Most steels have some lead, higher levels in maraging
steel and from lead paint on existing metal surfaces.
It damages muscles, bone and nerves; especially dangerous
to welders’ families with children 6 or under.
Copper Welding wires (MIG), Bronze, Copper Coating,
and Copper Brazing, Brass—lung irritation.
Zinc Zinc plated metal, galvanized metals-metal fume
fever—a flu-like illness.
Total Welding Fume Heavy production welding; welding
inside a vessel, pipe or container without good air
circulation—chronic respiratory problems.
Ozone MIG & TIG welding and aluminum welding—eye,
nose, throat irritation, lung damage.
And that’s not all. If you’re welding or cutting surfaces
with paints, solvents, plastics and other coatings, there
is a likelihood of exposure to decomposition products,
such as oxides of nitrogen, phosgene, carbon monoxide
and carbon dioxide.
Evaluating each working environment is essential. Under
OSHA rules, it is generally required to identify hazards
that are present and then to implement controls, such
as ventilation, substitution of less hazardous materials
for higher hazard ones, personal protective devices or
more effective training.
Testing can be performed by a Certified Industrial Hygienist
or an Industrial Hygienist.
A Certified Industrial Hygienist, by virtue of training,
education and experience, has demonstrated the ability
to recognize and test for hazards and to recommend appropriate
controls.
Atlantic Environmental Inc
2 East Blackwell Street
Dover, NJ 07801
(800) 344-4414
(973) 366-4660
(973) 366-3116 Fax
info@atlenv.com
Indoor Air Quality
| Mold Testing and Remediation
Indoor Air Quality
in Highrise Buildings |
Industrial Hygiene
Environmental Site Assessments/Phase I, II & III
Industrial Safety
Construction Safety | Environmental
Articles | Asbestos|
Environmental
Expert Witness and Litigation Support | Environmental
Test Chamber |Pricing |
Professional
Staff | History
| Home Page
| Links
|
