The Dangers of Welding Fumes
Our last blog briefly reported the news of a welder who received a substantial jury verdict as a result of developing a disabling disease from breathing years of welding fumes.
What are the dangers of welding fumes?
Welding rods, even in normal industrial use, can give off fumes that contain the metal manganese. These welding fumes can be very dangerous. How? Your nervous system can be damaged when these fumes are taken in through breathing. Welders suffer from a higher than average rate of Parkinson’s disease, a motor disorder that affects walking and other movements. Parkinson’s disease is a very serious illness that generally is “progressive” in nature (gets worse over time). While fumes from welding may not cause Parkinson’s disease, welders often develop the condition at an earlier age than do other Parkinson’s disease victims.
Welding fumes, however, are believed to cause another deadly illness similar to Parkinson’s disease. Many welders suffer from a movement disorder labeled “manganism” or manganese poisoning. The symptoms of manganism are similar to Parkinson’s disease. Because of the similarity between the two conditions, some researchers call manganism a form of “Parkinsonism” or “Parkinsonian Syndrome.”More on the sometimes deadly consequences of exposure to welding fumes in our next blog.