ROUTES OF EXPOSURE
Exposure to welding fumes can occur through inhalation and eye contact.
TOXICOLOGY
Exposure to welding fumes from mild steel: - development of benign pneumonconiosis. - Condition is reversible
- No respiratory signs may be present at the the time the pneumonconiosis is discovered
Metal fume fever: - fever
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chills
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headache
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nausea
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shortness of breath
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muscle pain
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metallic taste in the mouth (Rom 1992)
Infertility: -highest among stainless steel welders(Rom 1992;IARC 1990)
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Carcinogenic to humans(IARC 1990)
ACUTE EXPOSURE: - eye, nose and throat irritation
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fever
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chills
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headache
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nausea
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shortness of breath
-
muscle pain
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metallic taste in mouth
CHRONIC EXPOSRE: - respiratory effects including coughing
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weezing
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decreased pulmonary function
NEVER EAT, DRINK, SMOKE, APPLY COSMETICS OR TAKE MEDICATION IN AREAS WHERE WELDING FUMES ARE GENERATED.
ALUMINUM Welding: Chronic exposure to high concentrations of fumes causes severe
pneumonconiosis
Chest x-ray taken in 1995, 4 months before
death, showing severe fibrosis. Hilar adenopathy was never
mentioned in radiologic reports.
43 Year old African-American worked for a shipbuilding factory as an aluminum weld-grinder for 16 years. After that he worked as an arc welder for 8 years at a different company. His PPE WAS A HANDCERCHIEF TIED AROUND HIS FACE.
