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Is Welding Smoke Bad for Your Health?

Welding is a process by which metals are joined together using heat and pressure. The reaction of these elements creates a combination of gases and fumes called welding smoke, which has toxic effects on your body. Additionally, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published information regarding the link between welding smoke and cancer.

  1. Welding Smoke

    • Welding smoke

      Welding smoke contains multiple chemical substances that have adverse effects when in contact with biologic systems. According to OSHA, these chemicals include lead, mercury, carbon monoxide, asbestos, phosgene, nitrogen oxide, silica, cadmium, nickel, chromium, manganese and arsenic. Different levels of these chemicals can have varying degrees of harmful effects on your body.

    Chemicals and the Body

    • Because there are several chemicals contained in welding smoke, the health hazards can be compounded. OSHA lists the possible effects of these chemicals. Lead, for example, can affect entire organ systems and result in fatigue, irritability and vomiting. Mercury has neurological consequences that can result in a loss of coordination and sensory impairment. Hydrochloric acid, derived from phosgene gas and ultraviolet radiation during the welding process, damages lung tissue. Exposure to even low levels of manganese causes short-term memory impairment and mood changes. Nitrogen oxide irritates your eyes, nose and throat and causes swelling in the lungs and fluid accumulation.

    Long- and Short-Term Effects

    • Within 12 hours of exposure to these chemicals, you may experience fever, shortness of breath and muscle weakness. Within five to six hours of exposure from chlorinated hydrocarbons, you may experience dizziness, labored breathing and eye irritation. Chronic exposure to welding smoke can cause respiratory conditions such as pneumonia. Long-term effects can include heart, lung and skin diseases. You may also be more susceptible to tuberculosis. Cadmium, nickel and chromium, for example, may stimulate cancer development and put you at risk for lung, laryngeal and/or urinary cancer.

    Minimizing Effects

    • OSHA standards to protect welders include proper work training, proper ventilation, protective equipment, fire and electrical safety, welding in confined spaces and warning labels. OSHA also sets limits on the total level of individual chemical exposure. However, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that workers be exposed to these chemicals as little as possible.

    Medical Screening

    • Chest X-ray

      NIOSH recommends that welders receive annual medical exams. If pneumonia is suspected, your provider will most likely order a chest X-ray, and you may be started on antibiotics. If tuberculosis is suspected, your doctor may take a sputum sample and ask you to receive a tuberculosis skin test. Because welding, as a profession, poses several occupational health concerns, it is important you report to your provider any symptoms that are unusual, such as weight loss, consistent coughing, vision and hearing impairment, skin irritation and changes in motor coordination.

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