Health effects of welding and cutting fume

Particles in welding fumes are small enough to be suspended in the air for a long time. They can be inhaled and penetrate into the innermost area of the lungs. Over time, the particles can even reach the bloodstream. Recently there has been much focus on hexavalent chromium (Cr (IV)). Fume from MMA and FCAW welding usually contains significant quantities of Cr(VI), in particular when welding in stainless steel. This is important to observe because hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) has a very low exposure limit. There are also health risks from exposure of welding smoke due to the presence of manganese, nickel and other elements. Legislation are getting stricter in many countries with lower exposures limits for different types of particles. Market specific information can be found here.

Particles found in welding fumes and their possible effect on the human body

Fumes
Chromium (VI)

Source
Welding processes. Stainless steel, plating, chromium pigment manufacturing, electrode Welding processes: All iron or steel Welding processes, hightensile steel Welding processes: Stainless steel, nickel-clad steel, plating Electrode coating, flux material

Health effects & symptoms

Skin irritation, respiratory tract irritation, effects on nose, eyes and ears; chronic effects include lung cancer, kidney and liver damage

Iron oxide Manganese Nickel

Fluorides

Ozone

Nitrogen oxide Carbon monoxide

Acute effects are nose and lung irritation; siderosis (pulmonary deposition of iron dust) Chemical pneumonitis; chronic effects include nervous system disorders Dermatitis, asthma-like lung disease; chronic effects include cancer (nose, larynx, lung), respiratory tract irritation, renal dysfunction Eye, nose and throat irritation, gastro-intestinal symptoms; chronic effects include bone and joint problems, fluid in the lungs, kidney dysfunction Formed in the welding arc Acute effects include fluid in the lungs and haemorrhage; chronic effects include changes in lung function Formed in the welding arc Pneumonitis, pulmonary edema; chronic bronchitis, emphysema; pulmonary fibrosis Carbon dioxide shielded Headache, nausea, dizziness, collapse, death; metal-arc welding, chronnic cardiovascular effects electrode coatings

The best protection from exposure is a welding fume extraction system, extracting the welding

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fume at the source. The extraction can be made though an extraction arm, down draft table or a welding gun designed for on torch extraction. The particles shall normally be filtered before returning the extracted air to atmosphere.

Chromium VI Cr(VI)
Stainless steel is a ferrous alloy with a minimum of 10.5 % chromium content. The chromium in the steel combines with oxygen in the atmosphere to form a thin, invisible layer of chromecontaining oxide, which enhances the corrosion resistance.Hexavalent chromium or Cr(VI) compounds are those that contain the element chromium in the +6 oxidation state. Chromium in the base material and the welding electrode (consumable) does not normally appear in the form of hexavalent chromium. However, during the welding process the alkali based flux compound reacts with the chromium generating CR(VI), which emits into the welding fumes. Cr(VI) is a known carcinogen and investigations have clearly shown that exposure to Cr(VI) can have a very dangerous effect on health.

Manganese
Manganese is essential to iron and steel production by virtue of its sulfur-fixing, deoxidizing, and alloying properties. Manganese is also a key component of low-cost stainless steel formulations. Long-term or chronic exposure to manganese fumes or dust at high concentrations can damage the nervous system and respiratory tract, as well as having other adverse effects. Wide spectrums of neuropsychiatric illnesses have been described with manganese toxicity. Among the neurological effects is an irreversible Parkinsonian-like syndrome.The neurological disorder resulting from this type of manganese toxicity is known as Parkinsons Manganism.

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