Welders are at an increased risk of developing pneumococcal pneumonia, due to breathing in welding fume. Welders are particularly prone to a lung infection that can lead to severe and sometimes fatal pneumonia. Pneumonia kills about 2 welders a year. It can affect young welders as well as older people.
Welding fumes are far worse for you than smoking. Any time you weld, you should wear a respirator with appropriate filters or even an approved fresh air supplied mask with an approved supply of fresh air(NOT of your shop compressor, as it contains oil).
Avoid or reduce exposure. Use local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to take the fume away at source. Use suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE), for example a facemask, to protect workers from inhaling fumes.
Welding is not bad for your health, as long as you take the necessary precautions. However, there are some risks associated with welding that should be taken into account. Welding can produce harmful chemicals that can cause skin and respiratory problems. In addition, welding can cause inflammation and even scarring.
Background: An estimated 110 million workers are exposed to welding fumes worldwide. Welding fumes are classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as carcinogenic to humans (group 1), based on sufficient evidence of lung cancer from epidemiological studies.
Welder's lung is a rare occupational disease which is usually seen after chronic exposure to iron dust.
A convincing body of evidence has recognized an elevated risk of lung cancer among welders, with the excess estimated at 20–40% [6], [12], [17].
Cons of the Welding Profession
Welders may experience some dangers and discomfort on the job including burns, eye discomfort, exposure to hazardous materials and a lot of physical effort.
Many studies report increased risk of lung cancer in welders or other workers exposed to welding fume. The International Association for Research on Cancer (IARC) conclude that all welding fume can cause lung cancer and may cause kidney cancer, classifying all welding fume as Group 1 carcinogenic substances.
Metal fume fever (MFF) has been defined as a “flu-like illness that develops after inhalation of metal fumes with symptoms beginning 3–10 hours after exposure. Initially, there may be a sweet metallic taste in the mouth accompanied by a worsening dry cough and shortness of breath.
The milk theory is based on the belief that when welders drink milk, the calcium in the milk will “saturate the body” and prevent the body from absorbing toxic heavy metals that can be found in welding fumes, such as cadmium.
Respiratory effects seen in full-time welders have included bronchitis, airway irritation, lung function changes, and a possible increase in the incidence of lung cancer.
Pneumosiderosis, or more commonly referred to as Welder's lung, is an occupational lung disease that occurs after chronic inhalation of iron dust particles, especially in welders.
Welding can be a stressful job as it is important to be precise accurate under demanding deadlines. They also tend to work in extreme environments which can cause stress.
Prolonged exposure to welding fume may cause lung damage and various types of cancer, including lung, larynx and urinary tract. . Health effects from certain fumes may include metal fume fever, stomach ulcers, kidney damage and nervous system damage.
Pipeline welder
Pipeline welding is very challenging because the pipes are in fixed positions and can't move – so the welder must know how to work in many different and difficult positions to reach the area they need to weld.
The most common acute effect of exposure to intense welding fume is called Metal Fume Fever with symptoms similar to the common flu: chills, low-level fever, fatigue, nausea, sore throat, body aches, and pains usually lasting 24 hours.
A welder may work on projects such as house repair or commercial structures, aircraft or ships, bridges, or automobiles. In this industry, you can expect to work 40 hours a week for different shifts, or extended hours and overtime when working on large projects with short timelines.
Welders can very easily burn or seriously hurt themselves. This has a tendency to create stress. You're also working under demanding deadlines. Often you have to work at night or outdoors (because you're on a construction project and it's hard to build a building indoors).
Health hazards from welding, cutting, and brazing operations include exposures to metal fumes and to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Safety hazards from these operations include burns, eye damage, electrical shock, cuts, and crushed toes and fingers.
Welding is physically demanding and takes some practical coordination to master. It's not as physical as a builder's job, but there's usually a fair amount of lifting and climbing over things, which some people don't like.
Separate welding activities from other work jobs. Many workers welding in one space can increase welding fume. Use welding screens to protect other workers from welding arc. Where possible, automate welding activities.
Furthermore, welding occupation was unrelated to the odds of mortality from Alzheimer's disease (MOR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.89-1.00) or presenile dementia (MOR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.87-1.06). Earlier research suggested that welding exposures could predispose individuals to earlier onset Parkinson's disease.
According to some studies, the life expectancy of a welder is between 50 and 60 years. Remember, though, most of the health hazards associated with welding can be dodged by taking all the proper precautions and safety measures.