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).
Welding smoke is definitely carcinogenic according to international researchers. This puts it into the same risk category as cigarette smoking and several radioactive substances like plutonium and components of deadly chromium IV.
. 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.
Pneumosiderosis or Welder's lung is an occupational lung disease which is usually seen after chronic exposure to iron dust, especially in welders.
Welding activities produce many hazards through the production of contaminants in welding fumes and ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the welding arc. Both of these are Group 1 carcinogens, meaning they can cause cancer in humans.
Welder's lung is a rare occupational disease which is usually seen after chronic exposure to iron dust. This is a case with 2 exposures to cause lung disease as welding and pigeon feeder.
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.
Both acute and chronic health risks are associated with welding fume. Occupational lung disease, including lung cancer, is the most common health risk, but welding can also affect the eyes and skin. There is also a significant risk from asphyxiation when welding in confined spaces.
The life expectancy of a welder is between 50 and 60 years. However, this can be mitigated by wearing the proper safety clothing and taking all the necessary precautions.
Conclusions. Chronic exposure to welding light may cause color vision deficiency. The damage depends on the exposure duration and the length of their employment as welders.
Health Hazards of Welding
Welding fumes can contain metal particles that can be harmful if breathed in. These particles can also be carried through the air and enter your body through your skin. Welders exposed to high levels of welding fumes may experience respiratory problems, such as asthma.
Welders provide necessary services to various industries, including manufacturing, transportation and infrastructure. Working in a high-demand field can be beneficial, as it guarantees stable employment and higher wages because the skills of the trade are highly valuable to employers.
Irritation of throat and lungs
Gases and fine particles in welding fume can cause dryness of the throat, tickling, coughing or a tight chest. The effects tend to be short lived. Ozone is a particular cause of this when TIG welding stainless steels and aluminium.
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.
Metal fume fever is a diagnosed with exposure to metal fumes within the last 48 hours and 'flu-like' symptom development with resolution within 1–2 days. Metal fume fever is most likely to present on Monday due to loss of tolerance over the weekend in occupational welders.
Exposure to infrared light can heat the lens of the eye and produce cataracts over the long term. Visible light from welding processes is very bright and can overwhelm the ability of the iris of the eye to close sufficiently and rapidly enough to limit the brightness of the light reaching the retina.
It can be a stressful job, too, given the level of danger to personal safety and the need to do high-quality work for projects that can range from working on a skyscraper to working on airplanes. It can be a rewarding job, though.
In many cases, welders work in shifts. For our welder, he works the evening shift, which is typically 10 hours per day, four days per week. He'll clock in upon arrival at the worksite, place personal items such as jackets, hats, bags, and lunches into a secure locker, and then change into protective gear.
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. You may find yourself in tight spaces, working in hot weather or welding in wet and cold environments.
Exercise Regularly
Welding isn't a sedentary job, so you won't suffer the same health risks as workers who sit at desks in offices. However, that doesn't mean you are immune to chronic work-related conditions.
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 welding arc can form ozone and nitrogen oxides from the air. MIG and TIG welding make the most ozone, most of all when aluminum is welded. These fumes irritate the eyes, ear, nose, throat, and lungs and can damage the lungs.
N95 class filters are recommended for most welding applications because welding fume is relatively easy to filter and oil mist is seldom a factor. There is no harm in using a higher class filter.
Long term health concerns
There is a small lead content on the galvanized coating. When welding, this lead will vaporise and form lead oxide fumes. These gases can cause long-term health problems such as lung and brain cancer and even complications in the nervous system.