Hazards of Tungsten Carbide

The most frequently utilized hard metal in manufacturing today, tungsten carbide, is used to make a wide variety of products, including wedding rings, golf clubs and machinery. Tungsten carbide is favored by manufacturers because it is strong, durable and heat tolerant. It is made primarily of tungsten and cobalt and small amounts of other metals such as nickel. Workers exposed to airborne tungsten particles do not appear to have any adverse health effects, but exposure to airborne cobalt particles can have a serious impact on health.

Eye and Skin Irritation

• When the eyes and skin are exposed to tungsten carbide, the result is irritation. In addition, repeated exposure can result in allergies to tungsten carbide, as well as to nickel and cobalt.

Respiratory Ailments

• Inhalation of tungsten carbide dust can lead to nose, throat and lung irritation. Repeated exposure to tungsten carbide can lead to a range of serious respiratory ailments including asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and hard-metal lung disease.

Organ Problems

• When tungsten carbide is swallowed, it can lead to loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The China Tungsten Industry Association states that "reports outside the [tungsten carbide] industry suggest that ingestion of significant amounts of cobalt has the potential for causing blood, heart and other organ problems."

Reducing Exposure

• When working with tungsten carbide, you can reduce your exposure by wearing clothing that covers your skin, including gloves and safety glasses; wearing a respirator or working in a well-ventilated area; cleaning work areas using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter or other system that removes small particles from surfaces and the air; and always washing skin that has been exposed to tungsten carbide thoroughly.