THE 5 DISEASES THAT CAN BE CAUSED BY WELDING FUMES.

As has been evidenced in other articles about welding fumes and the proper way to select a metal fume respirator in welding, the most important thing is to raise awareness of the use and care that must be taken when performing welding processes; there are some processes that generate considerable amounts of metal fumes that cause diseases, many of them very serious. These diseases develop over the course of a lifetime and are called progressive diseases, as they appear gradually over the years. Let us review the 5 most serious diseases that can be caused by metal fumes.

1. Lung cancer: the elements present in welding processes such as iron oxides, copper, chromium, nickel, manganese, cobalt, aluminum, molybdenum, titanium, tungsten, and vanadium, among others. In addition, high-alloy stainless steels rich in chromium and nickel — overexposure to these metal fumes can lead to this disease. Protection is essential.

2. Metal fume fever: this disease is characterized by a high fever caused by the inhalation of zinc, which is present in galvanized sheet metal. This illness lasts from 24 to 48 hours after exposure; however, it can be more serious, producing severe lung irritation, pulmonary edema, and even death.

3. Pulmonary siderosis: this disease is caused by the inhalation of iron dust or fumes. It is a form of pneumoconiosis in which the patient initially presents obstructive symptoms (cough, expectoration, dyspnea) that progress, in severe cases, to pulmonary fibrosis with a severe restrictive pattern. The explanation for the severe damage caused by iron in the lungs lies in the fact that it is a generator of free radicals, particularly hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals, which cause severe inflammation and a more rapid progression to pneumoconiosis (pulmonary fibrosis).

4. Occupational Asthma.  this condition is caused by the inhalation of chemical fumes, gases, dust, or other substances in the workplace. Occupational asthma can result from exposure to a substance to which one is sensitive, triggering an allergic or immunological response, or from exposure to a toxic irritant substance. Occupational asthma can cause chest tightness, wheezing, and shortness of breath. People with allergies or a family history of allergies are more prone to developing occupational asthma.

5. Alzheimer’s disease: this disease has many causes, among which the aluminum industry has been studied (aluminum production, fabrication, and welding work) — prolonged exposure without adequate protection may lead to the development of the disease. Although the direct relationship between this metal and the disease is still under investigation, protection is important in order to prevent this and other possible diseases.

Fellow welder, do not put your health at risk — protect yourself from these and other diseases that may develop; remember that they appear over the years.