Fumes

Fumes are solid particles that are formed when a metal or other solid vaporizes and the molecules condense (or solidify) in cool air. This usually occurs during the welding and cutting of metals. Fumes are also produced by hot asphalt during hot tar roofing and paving. Coal tar and plastics also produce fumes when heated.

Fumes are measured as a concentration of airborne particles in a given space, and are measured in either milligrams or micrograms per cubic meter of air (mg/m³) or (µg/m³).

Fumes can irritate the skin, eyes, and nose. Fumes are respirable and primarily affect the body when they are breathed in. Because of their small particle size, fumes can easily pass from the lungs into the blood stream.

Welding fumes are primary composed of metal oxides, such as zinc, iron, chromium, aluminum, or nickel. Welding fumes typically have a metallic odor and taste. They can cause metal fume fever. Workers may experience sweating, shivering, nausea, fever, aching muscles, weakness, fatigue, and a loss of energy and appetite. The symptoms usually start several hours after exposure and the attack may last between 6 and 24 hours.

Another welding fume health hazard is siderosis. This is a chronic respiratory disease associated with inhaling an excessive amount of iron. Symptoms include cardiac failure, diabetes, and liver cirrhosis.

To learn more about Industrial Chemical Hazards visit our Industrial Chemical Hazards & Toxic Substances Online Training web page.