Welding Fumes

What are welding fumes?

Welding fumes are a complex mixture of metallic oxides, silicates, and fluorides. Fumes are formed when a metal is heated above its boiling point and its vapors condense into very fine, particles (solid particulates).

Can the composition of welding fumes vary?

Yes, welding fumes contain oxides of the metals in the material being welded.

• Fluxes containing silica or fluoride produce amorphous silica, metallic silicates, and fluoride fumes.
• Fumes from mild steel welding contain mostly iron with small amounts of additive metals (chromium, nickel, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, titanium, cobalt, copper, etc.).
• Stainless steels have larger amounts of chromium or nickel in the fume and lesser amounts of iron.
• Nickel alloys have much more nickel in the fume and very little iron.

How do coatings change the composition of welding fumes?

Vapors or fumes can come from coatings and residues on the metal being welded. Some ingredients in coatings can have toxic effects. These ingredients include:

• metalworking fluids, oils, and rust inhibitors
• zinc on galvanized steel (vaporizes to produce zinc oxide fume)
• cadmium plating
• vapors from paints and solvents
• lead oxide primer paints
• some plastic coatings

How do I remove the coatings?

• Remove coatings from the weld area to minimize the fume. The removal of the coating will also improve weld quality.
• Use stripping products to remove coatings. Make sure to remove any residues before welding.
• Use wet slurry vacuum removal techniques for removing very toxic coatings.
• Do not grind coatings. Grinding dust may be toxic.

What are welding gases?

Welding gases are gases used or produced during welding and cutting processes like shielding gases or gases produced by the decomposition of fluxes or from the interaction of ultraviolet light or high temperatures with gases or vapors in the air.

What are examples of welding gases?

Gases used in welding and cutting processes include:

• shielding gases such as carbon dioxide, argon, helium, etc.
• fuel gases such as acetylene, propane, butane, etc.
• oxygen, used with fuel gases and also in small amounts in some shielding gas mixtures

Gases produced from welding and cutting processes include:

• carbon dioxide from the decomposition of fluxes
• carbon monoxide from the breakdown of carbon dioxide shielding gas in arc welding
• ozone from the interaction of electric arc with atmospheric oxygen
• nitrogen oxides from the heating of atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen
• hydrogen chloride and phosgene produced by the reaction between ultraviolet light and the vapors from chlorinated hydrocarbon degreasing solvents (e.g., trichloroethylene, TCE)

Gases are also produced from the thermal breakdown of coatings:

• Polyurethane coatings can produce hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, and isocyanate vapors.
• Epoxy coatings can produce carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
• Vinyl paints can produce hydrogen chloride.
• Phosphate rust-inhibiting paints can release phosphine during welding processes.
• Minimizing exposure to degreasing solvent vapors.

Table 1 Source and Health Effect of Welding Fumes
Fume Type	Source	Health Effect
Aluminum	Aluminum component of some alloys, e.g., Inconels, copper, zinc, steel, magnesium, brass and filler materials.	Respiratory irritant.
Beryllium	Hardening agent found in copper, magnesium, aluminum alloys and electrical contacts.	“Metal Fume Fever.” A carcinogen. Other chronic effects include damage to the respiratory tract.
Cadmium Oxides	Stainless steel containing cadmium or plated materials, zinc alloy.	Irritation of respiratory system, sore and dry throat, chest pain and breathing difficulty. Chronic effects include kidney damage and emphysema. Suspected carcinogen.
Chromium	Most stainless-steel and high-alloy materials, welding rods. Also used as plating material.	Increased risk of lung cancer. Some individuals may develop skin irritation. Some forms are carcinogens (hexavalent chromium).
Copper	Alloys such as Monel, brass, bronze. Also some welding rods.	Acute effects include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, nausea and “Metal Fume Fever.”
Fluorides	Common electrode coating and flux material for both low- and high-alloy steels.	Acute effect is irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. Long-term exposures may result in bone and joint problems. Chronic effects also include excess fluid in the lungs.
Iron Oxides	The major contaminant in all iron or steel welding processes.	Siderosis – a benign form of lung disease caused by particles deposited in the lungs. Acute symptoms include irritation of the nose and lungs. Tends to clear up when exposure stops.
Lead	Solder, brass and bronze alloys, primer/coating on steels.	Chronic effects to nervous system, kidneys, digestive system and mental capacity. Can cause lead poisoning.
Manganese	Most welding processes, especially high-tensile steels.	“Metal Fume Fever.” Chronic effects may include central nervous system problems.
Molybdenum	Steel alloys, iron, stainless steel, nickel alloys.	Acute effects are eye, nose and throat irritation, and shortness of breath.
Nickel	Stainless steel, Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy and other high-alloy materials, welding rods and plated steel.	The acute effect is irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Increased cancer risk has been noted in occupations other than welding. Also associated with dermatitis and lung problems.
Vanadium	Some steel alloys, iron, stainless steel, nickel alloys.	Acute effect is irritation of the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Chronic effects include bronchitis, retinitis, fluid in the lungs and pneumonia.
Zinc	Galvanized and painted metal.	Metal Fume Fever.

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Table 2 Source and Health Effect of Welding Gases
Gas Type	Source	Health Effect
Carbon Monoxide	Formed in the arc.	Absorbed readily into the bloodstream, causing headaches, dizziness or muscular weakness. High concentrations may result in unconsciousness and death
Hydrogen Fluoride	Decomposition of rod coatings.	Irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract. Overexposure can cause lung, kidney, bone and liver damage. Chronic exposure can result in chronic irritation of the nose, throat and bronchi.
Nitrogen Oxides	Formed in the arc.	Eye, nose and throat irritation in low concentrations. Abnormal fluid in the lung and other serious effects at higher concentrations. Chronic effects include lung problems such as emphysema.
Oxygen Deficiency	Welding in confined spaces, and air displacement by shielding gas.	Dizziness, mental confusion, asphyxiation and death.
Ozone	Formed in the welding arc, especially during plasma-arc, MIG and TIG processes.	Acute effects include fluid in the lungs and hemorrhaging. Very low concentrations (e.g., one part per million) cause headaches and dryness of the eyes. Chronic effects include significant changes in lung function.

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Table 3 Source and Health Effect of Organic Vapours as a result of Welding
Gas Type	Source	Health Effect
Aldehydes (such as formaldehyde)	Metal coating with binders and pigments. Degreasing solvents	Irritant to eyes and respiratory tract.
Diisocyanates	Metal with polyurethane paint.	Eye, nose and throat irritation. High possibility of sensitization, producing asthmatic or other allergic symptoms, even at very low exposures.
Phosgene	Metal with residual degreasing solvents. (Phosgene is formed by the reaction of the solvent and welding radiation.)	Severe irritant to eyes, nose and respiratory system. Symptoms may be delayed.
Phosphine	Metal coated with rust inhibitors. (Phosphine is formed by the reaction of the rust inhibitor with welding radiation.)	Irritant to eyes and respiratory system can damage kidneys and other organs.

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Source: Tables 1 to 3 are from Work Safe Alberta’s Welder’s Guide to Hazards of Welding Gases and Fumes, 2009

What are the hazards of welding gases?

Hazards from gases include:

• asphyxiation (lack of oxygen)
• fire or explosion
• toxicity

How can I prevent exposure to welding gases?

It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, MSDSs, and safety protocols to minimize the hazards of welding gases.

• Use substitute materials such as water-based cleaners or high flash point solvents.
• Cover the degreaser baths or containers.
• Do not weld on surfaces that are still wet with a degreasing solvent.
• Do not weld near degreasing baths.
• Do not use chlorinated hydrocarbon degreasers.
• Have adequate ventilation in a workplace to prevent the displacement or enrichment of oxygen and to prevent the accumulation of flammable atmospheres.