Welding fumes are very fine, solid particles of metal oxides that form during the

welding process. Many types of metals may be found in welding fumes, including
arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese,
nickel, selenium, vanadium, and zinc. Gases commonly associated with welding are
carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, fluorine compounds, and
phosgene. These gases may be present as the result of:
• Combustion of flux shielding.
• Ultraviolet radiation interaction with shielding gases, oxygen, carbon dioxide,
and solvents.
• Burning metal coatings.
❖ The occupational exposure standard for general carbon steel welding over an 8-
hour period is 5mg/m3 inspired air (Reference – American Welding Society).
❖ The health effects of welding exposures are many and varied, because the fumes
can contain so many different harmful substances.
❖ Coatings and paints on the metal being welded or coatings covering the electrode
can create health issues.
❖ Illness due to fumes can be instant or insidious, taking weeks, months or
sometimes years to become apparent.
❖ Health hazards associated by inhaling welding fumes;

Short term health effects:

❖ Nausea and other gastrointestinal effects

❖ Headache and muscle ache
❖ Dizziness
❖ Metal fume fever
❖ Chills
❖ Pulmonary oedema (fluid in the lungs)
Long term health effects:

❖ Increased risk of cancer in lung, larynx and urinary tract

❖ Bronchitis, asthma and pneumonia
❖ Emphysema and siderosis
❖ Ulcers & kidney damage
❖ Heart and skin disease
❖ Damage to the central nervous system and brain (Parkinson's disease etc.)

Control measures:

1. Good engineering control by using local and source-exhaust ventilation to

remove harmful fumes and gases.
2. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) should be reviewed to identify any
hazards that might be associated with the welding job (Electrodes, flux etc.)

3. As per HSE. Uk, following PPE’s are recommended; use an FFP3 disposable
mask or half-mask with P3 filter (PDF) , for work of up to an hour, use
battery-powered air-fed protective equipment for longer duration work, with a
minimum assigned protection factor of 20 (APF20)
4. As per AWS, Fume can only be captured with particulate filters. For capturing
gas /vapour, cartridges can be used. The most common cartridges used in
welding are organic vapor (black label), acid gas (white label) and organic
vapor/acid gas (yellow label)