HEALTH EFFECTS OF WELDING FUMES AND GASES

CONTENT OF WELDING FUMES AND GASES

AND THEIR POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

FUMES	SOURCE	HEALTH EFFECTS AND SYMPTOMS
Chromium	Welding processes, stainless steel, Plating Chromium pigment manufacturing electrode	Skin irritation, respiratory tract irritation Effect on nose, eyes and ear Chronic effect, include lung cancer, kidney and liver damage
Iron oxide	Welding processes All iron or steel	Acute effects are nose and lung irritation Siderosis
Manganese	Welding processes High tensile steel	Chemical pneumonitis Chronic effects include nervous system disorder
Nickel	Welding processes Stainless steel, nickel clad steel Plating	Dermatitis, Astma like lung syndrome Chronic effect include cancer ( lung, laring, nose) Respiratory tract irritation Renal dysfunction
Fluorides	Electrode coating Flux material	Eye, nose and throat irritation Gastrointentesinal syndrome Chronic effect include bone and joint problem Fluidin the lung Kidney dysfunction
Ozone	Formed in welding arc	Acute effects include fluid in the lung and hemorrhage Chronic effect include  changes in lung function
Nitrogen oxide	Formed in welding arc	Pneumonitis, Pulmonary edema Chronic bronchitis Emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis
Carbon monoxide	Carbondioxide shielded metal arc weding Electrode coating	Headache, nausea, dissines, collapse, death Chronic cardiovascular effect