The dangers of welding fumes

What are welding fumes?

All welding fumes contain particles and gases. The particles in welding fumes vary in size, from particles as large as grains of sand to tiny particles that cannot be seen with the naked eye and can be easily inhaled.

Weld fumes have been reclassified as carcinogenic and exposure to these and other gases associated with welding can cause various health problems.

Quick fact: Poor respiratory protection is the fourth most common breach in the workplace.1

Short-term health problems

• Eye, nose and throat irritation
• Red
• Fever from metal fumes (high temperatures, chills, pain, vomiting, weakness and tiredness).
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches

Quickly: Fever from metal fumes is more common on Mondays, as it is more likely to occur after a few days without exposure.

Long-term health problems

Diseases due to welding fumes usually take many years to develop.

• Lung function abnormalities including bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.
• Cancer of the larynx and urinary tract.
• Stomach ulcers, kidney and nervous system damage.
• Significant increase in heart attacks and strokes.

Quick fact: Welders have the same risk of chronic bronchitis as regular smokers2 and a 40% higher risk of lung cancer than non-welders.3

Assess the risk to your workers

The type and quantity of welding fumes, gases and vapors are determined by the material, welding process, amperage and welding electrode used.

Consult an expert to identify the hazard levels in relation to the safety regulations of the country where you are.

Quick fact: A qualified health and safety professional or consultant may monitor personal and area exposure to determine the type and concentration of pollutants.

Before choosing your protective equipment

The hierarchy of controls can be used as a guide through the process of mitigating exposure to welding fumes.4 Measures at the top of the list are usually considered the most preferable.

Quick fact: 3M designs and manufactures PPE to help protect welders and nearby workers from the wide range of risks associated with welding, grinding and other metalworking processes.

Selection of suitable welding mask

Select sufficient and appropriate respiratory protection for the worker and the task.

Disposable masks: Particulate mask 3MAuraTM series 9300+

• Available in different shapes and with different characteristics to suit a wide range of different faces and applications.
• Assistance in providing protection against solid and liquid particles: FFP2 FPN of 12, FFP3 FPN of 50 (5)
• Lightweight and designed to fit under virtually any welding screen.
• No maintenance required (disposable)

Reusable masks: Reusable mask 3MTM Secure ClickTM series HF-800

• Helps to provide protection against solid and liquid particles and/or gases and vapours, depending on the filter or cartridge used. Half mask and 12 FPN P2 filters, half mask and 48 FPN P3 filters
• 3M P3 with additional relief of unpleasant odors caused by welding is recommended for typical welding tasks. Designed to provide a suitable fit to the SpeedglasTM welding screen 3MTM
• A wide range of different filters and cartridges are available, depending on the combination of contaminants: particulate matter, organic and inorganic vapors, acid gas and ammonia

Motorised breathing equipment: welding screen 3MFor the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply: with motorised breathing apparatus 3MTM AdfloTM

• FPN up to 500 (inward leakage according to TH3)
• Helps to protect against solid and liquid particles and/or gases and vapours, depending on the filter combination used
• Thin design for greater mobility and comfort at work

Air supply equipment: welding screen 3MTM SpeedglasTM G5-01 with air supply regulator 3MThe vehicle shall be equipped with:

• FPN of 200 (3B)
• Can be used to protect against substances with low warning properties (such as taste and smell)
• Belt-mounted regulator with user flow control

Quickly: Each year, 40 to 50 welders are hospitalized for pneumonia caused by welding fumes. Each year, 2 of these welders die.6

See also:

1. Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, for 2015.
2. Incidence and prevalence of chronic bronchitis: Impact of smoking and welding, 2012.
3. ANDC2017.
4. It's from: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hierarchy/.
5. FPN = rated protection factor. Rated protection factor based on performance data measured in the laboratory according to European standards. The protection factor is assigned by the local authorities in each European country and may therefore be different in each country.
6. It's from: www.hse.gov.uk/welding/illness.htm (02.03.2017).
7. Infografik Gefahren durch Schweißrauch (Infographic about the train and the train)