The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop welding fumes

I'm just wandering if any of you guys are very sensitive to welding like I am. I take the precautions because It seems like I'm very sensitive to it. I use a TIG welder which I've read produces more ozone vapors than other welders. I always weld outside the garage and use a welding respirator (N95 and it says nuisance vapor on it) got them at a welding shop. But even then if I weld a good portion of the day, when all done I might get a stuffy nose and a slight agitated throat. Kind of feels like I'm catching a small cold. But I rarely use my welder and didn't start welding until this last year. So I think I might be very sensitive to everything. Should I take more precautions?

maybe I am weird but I like the smells associated with welding, grinding and especially wire brushing old parts. It's almost like you can smell the people and/or places from 60 or 70 years ago.

Gotta love those shop smells, maybe I am weird too or because I grew up around them. Feels, smells like home to me. Wish they made a detailer car sent with shop scent instead of wild ultra berry mist or somethin'.

Are you switching out your N95 throughout the day? If the exposure is high enough you can overload the mask and have break through.

Also, have you had the mask fit-tested? It's possible that the mask has some gaps that could let some of the fume get sucked in. There is an entire procedure to fit-test your mask but if you want to do a quick check try the following: Place you hands over the mask and breath out hard and quick. Try to feel if any air escapes under your mask/face seal. If you feel a leak you might want to try another brand.

One last thing, make sure that you shave before using an N95 and try not to have anything under the mask's elastic bands (like glasses, a ponytail, baseball cap)

Hope that helps
-David

OSHA Evaluation of Welding Fumes[/b] - judge for yourself

[b]Summary of Toxicology: Effects on Humans (taken from the above site):

"Effects on Humans: Exposure to welding fumes from mild steel is associated with the development of a benign pneumoconiosis, "arc welder's siderosis". This condition is a reversible pneumoconiosis and no associated respiratory signs may be present at the time the pneumoconiosis is discovered [Rom 1992]. Respiratory impairment has been observed in workers exposed to mild steel welding fumes, but these impairments may be the result of exposure to other toxicants in the working environment, such as crystalline silica [Rom 1992]. Exposure to welding fumes can result in metal fume fever; this condition resembles influenza and is characterized by fever, chills, headache, nausea, shortness of breath, muscle pain, and a metallic taste in the mouth [Rom 1992]. The respiratory effects appear to be potentiated by smoking. There is an excess of infertility among welders that led to studies on sperm quality and welding exposures. There appears to be an increased frequency of abnormalities in semen quality associated with duration of exposure. Abnormalities were highest among stainless steel welders. While hypotheses exist, the mechanism of action resulting in infertility is not known [Rom 1992; IARC 1990]. IARC concluded that there is limited evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of welding fumes and gases [IARC 1990]. This conclusion was based primarily on a review of 11 cohort studies and 12 case-control studies on lung cancer; only three of these studies (all cohort studies) specifically examined manual metal arc welding of iron, mild steel, or aluminum. Two of the cohort studies found no association between welding fumes and cancer. The remaining cohort studies showed an increased risk for lung cancer, which in some may have been inflated due to selection bias. Ten out of twelve case- control studies showed an association between lung cancer and exposure or employment as a welder. Two of the studies found no risk [IARC 1990]. IARC's final conclusion was that welding fumes are possibly carcinogenic to humans [IARC 1990]."

Dave there is the healthy worker syndrome ie those that can handle the work and those that cant ie those that are bothered or sensitive. YOU are best judge of this ie if it feels good when you stop beating your thumb then maybe you better not do it. I would recommend a North, 3M or other high quality filter type respirator with a purple band on cartridge for fume. For ozone the best bet would be an air fed rig - this is gonna get pricy combined with weld hood I dont think a filter cartride will be effective for ozone.

For sure do not have any chlorine containing solvent around any welding



Dan Bentler

i can get a headache if i weld all day, even on mild steel. i have never had breathing or sinus trouble. i would get this even 25 years ago on occasion so i don't worry too much about it. the best thing is prob not weld for 12 hours straight.

Two things that are recommended for your face masks keep your mask in a plastic bag sealed and keep your mask cartridges in the fridge which helps them last longer.
Sealed in a plastic zip bag of cource.
Never leave the mask and cartridges out unprotected. One filter does not cover all uses so keep several on hand.
Some times we get into WELDING OR CUTTING GALVINISED METAL ALWAYS USE PROTECTION AS THE FUMES ARE VERY DANGEROUS GIVING OFF A DEADLY GAS.
Just remembered the deadly gas its called Arsenic and it will kill you!



If you get a funny taste in your mouth drink milk to get rid of the taste and poisonous symptoms.
62Blue
Don


62Blue
Don

For soothing any welding related throat irritations, I recommend a couple of ice cold beers.

The colder, the better.

It works for me.

John

My workman's comp made me get one of these about 10 years ago. I use it a lot myself when I weld in confined places and definitely if there is galvanized metal involved. http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...nid=NT635G5R3LgsF3RH7CD92NglJ4CFGDB9XHbl

Make sure you use an oil less compressor or a blower that works like a shop vac. Shop air can contain carbon monoxide and should never be used for supplied air. A beer afterward can make you feel even better if you made a good weld or it can help deaden the pain if you made a lousy weld.

NOTE: My earlier post on this topic was only an attempt at humor.

As the others have already stated, there are serious health risks involved with all types of welding. I am only a hobby welder, and not a professional. I do believe however, that most experts will agree that good ventilation is one of the best ways to protect yourself from the fumes.

But, that is just my opinion.

John

So true, so true.

Hank

just dont use brake cleaner while welding. The chemical reaction with the gas and welding heat causes phosgene gas

Arsenic to my knowledge is not emitted from welding even on galvanize - you will get the zinc shakes, for first day you will think death may look good but no such luck you will recover. Drinking milk is a fallacy. Ventilation is a must. No combustible or flammable solvents and for sure no chlorinated solvents including brake cleaner. Air fed hood is great the 3 M rig looks real good maybe with a price tag to match. Make sure your compressor is correct type for air fed hood - piston oil lubed can generate carbon monoxide from worn rings. Strip back paint 1" better yet 2 to make sure you dont get your daily dose of lead and reduce cadmium and chrome intake.

Dan Bentler

I always weld outside or just inside the garage with the garage door open. Is this good enough ventilation to not worry? How do you know if the steel is galvanized or not? I'm just welding body panels onto my 53 pickup cab. I was told by a friend to turn the argon flow down a bit. I had it at 15-18 cfh for tig welding. I turned it down to 10cfh and it did help a little bit.