Welders are aware that the gases and fumes they create can cause serious illness. Welders’ exposure and risk are affected by many factors, including the nature of the welding being done, the rod used, the filler metals and base metals used, any coatings or contaminants, the quality of the ventilation, and the use of respiration protection.
When it comes to safeguarding workers from exposure to welding fumes, we simply don’t have all the information we need yet. Workers can reduce their risk of injury and illness by following some standard safety procedures.
The gases released during welding contain a variety of metal oxides, fluorides, and silicates. Not great to be inhaling on their own, but because we have to work in the real world, we also have to take into account the paint, rust inhibitors, solvents, and other coatings on the welded metal, all of which can increase the risk.
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Why do welders drink milk?
Sit down with a mix of experienced and inexperienced welders and pose the question, “Why Do Welders Drink Milk?” and you’re guaranteed to hear some passionate debates, er, discussions.
Apparently, welders consume as much milk as marathon runners consume carbohydrates. There are those who say the guidance is so important they’d never leave the house without it. Some people say that it is just an old wives’ tale and that you shouldn’t put any stock in it.
Welders drink milk for what reason? Metal Fume Fever can be brought on by inhaling the fumes produced in the welding, cutting, or brazing of galvanised steel. Milk, it is believed, protects welders from illness by flushing out the toxins produced by welding galvanised steel.
The zinc protects the iron in the Galvanized Steel. When zinc is applied to iron, it undergoes a chemical reaction with the iron. Pure zinc alloy forms the outermost layer. But the core uses nothing but pure iron.
Some of the layers in the middle are made of the cheaper zinc and iron. Galvanized steel is a source of the zinc oxide. The varying amounts of iron and zinc are indicative of this. Lifeguards use zinc oxide, which is a white powder, to protect themselves from the sun.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, you need to take safety measures when welding Galvanized Steel. Zinc oxide fumes can be greatly mitigated if proper safety precautions are taken.
While cleaning the base metal, try to get rid of as much zinc as possible. Yellow-green smoke, white residue on the weld, and white powdery particles in the air are common results of galvanising.
What are the symptoms of galvanized poisoning?
Being exposed to a cloud of yellowish-green fumes could be a symptom of Galvanize poisoning. Zinc oxide in the vapours could be toxic if inhaled in large quantities. The severity of galvanise poisoning increases with duration of exposure to the fumes. If the fumes contain zinc oxide, then you should take the proper safety measures.
Galvanizing poisoning symptoms are very similar to flu symptoms. The symptoms begin soon after the patient’s body has been exposed to excessive levels of zinc oxide. At first, you might experience some light nausea and a slight headache. In extreme cases, overexposure to zinc oxide can cause a wide variety of flu-like symptoms. Even minimal exposure can trigger symptoms such as trembling and chills as well as hot and cold sweats, fever, and vomiting.
If you’re a welder and you’re experiencing any of these signs, you need to take a break and go outside immediately. If the safe threshold is exceeded, death could result. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms more severe than those listed above.
Intoxication with galvanise doesn’t last long. First signs of illness appear within hours. Within 24 hours, you should no longer experience these symptoms. This time frame can increase to 48 hours if you have been exposed for a longer period of time. Milk is recommended as a means of speeding up the recovery process. Milk’s calcium content assists in detoxifying the body of zinc.
What is metal fume fever, and what causes it?
Galvanization is sometimes used to protect steel from corrosion. Galvanizing steel involves coating it with zinc, which forms a barrier between the steel and the elements, preventing rust and corrosion.
However, the zinc coating melts at a much lower temperature than steel, so the fumes are vaporised when welding or heating galvanised steel. When someone breathes in the fumes from welding, brazing, or cutting galvanised steel, they can develop a condition called metal fume fever, which is similar to the flu. Brass shakes, zinc shakes, galvie flu, metal dust fever, Monday morning fever, spelter shakes, and welding shivers are some of the names for this condition.
Headaches, fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, fatigue, joint pain, blood pressure fluctuations, chest pain, shortness of breath, and pneumonia are all possible side effects of inhaling the dust or fumes, which contain oxides (mostly zinc oxide). Within a few hours of initial exposure, symptoms will begin to appear and can last for up to 48 hours. Tolerance to the fumes themselves appears to develop, however, with prolonged exposure to welders’ fume fever.
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However, tolerance remains only with sustained exposure. Therefore, if you are exposed to the fumes throughout the workweek, and then take a break from exposure (such as the weekend), the symptoms will appear as the tolerance has vanished. Monday morning sickness got its name because of this. What the effects of prolonged, repeated exposure might be is unknown. The maximum allowable concentration of zinc oxide fume during an 8-hour work shift is 5 milligrammes per cubic metre of air (mg/m3), as set by OSHA.
You should see a doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms, and you should tell them about your exposure.
Welders who are exposed to even trace amounts of microscopic zinc oxide particles while on the job can develop an acute, fever-based illness known as Metal Fume Fever (MFF). These fragments can be found in the fumes produced by welding. Welders who breathe in too many MFF particles at once will experience flu-like symptoms. In most cases, symptoms resolve on their own within a day or two, and no medical intervention is required. Inhalation of other metal oxides at work has also been linked to the development of MFF (namely copper, iron, and magnesium). In spite of this, zinc oxide is still the most common culprit.
The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) predicts that every year, between 1,500 and 2,500 welders will acquire MFF. This makes it an issue for many welders, especially those who have been in the profession for some time.
People may refer to this occupational hazard by a variety of names, including Metal Fume Fever. The metal shakes, spelter’s shakes, zinc chills, and zinc fever are all examples of these types of illnesses. MFF was first recorded around the middle of the nineteenth century. It is still a common finding in welders.
When does MFF become a bigger issue?
Chest x-ray findings of pulmonary infiltrates and a low blood oxygen level point to a more serious underlying problem than MFF (hypoxemia). These are also typical of poisoning from more lethal metals (like cadmium or nitrogen oxide) and necessitate intensive medical attention.
A diagnosis of MFF is made solely on the basis of your symptoms and your occupation. There is no definitive test, and it could go undetected without you sharing your occupation with your doctor.
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What are the causes of metal fume fever?
Zinc oxide dust in the air is the only known cause of MFF. Ingestion or contact with the skin will not cause this. The absence of a proper ventilation system at construction sites is a major contributor to the widespread presence of zinc oxide particles.
Insufficient research has been done to determine the exact mechanism of toxicity (why zinc oxide produces a toxic response in the body), but the prevailing scientific opinion holds that it has an effect on cytokines in the body, particularly in the lungs.
It is the cytokine cells that communicate with other cells and other molecules in the body. Then, they send the cells to the sites that most need a protective response from the immune system. Therefore, the symptoms of MFF can be compared to those of the common cold, as the cytokine instructs the body to attack zinc in the same way it would attack a virus. Zinc oxide inhaled into the lungs stimulates the immune system, which then goes into overdrive to eliminate any harmful invaders. This distinguishes MFF from an allergy and makes it a concern for welders’ health from the very first exposure.
What Factors Affect Metal Fume Fever?
A worker wearing protective gear and a mask. Engineers and other professionals who need to wear protective clothing on the job.
The amount of time that welders spend in a fume-filled environment can be affected by many different variables. The risk of developing MFF can be mitigated by being aware of them.
In addition, Monday mornings are peak times for MFF. Some have taken to jokingly referring to it as “Monday Morning Fever” because of this. As a result, men are more likely to be affected than women. However, this is probably due to the fact that there are currently more men than women working in the welding industry.
How Can MFF Be Dangerous?
Although MFF poses no health risks, prolonged exposure to zinc oxide at work may lead to occupational asthma. As stated above, further evidence is needed to establish this connection. One English case study followed a tradesman who was diagnosed with MFF and found that he developed additional serious health issues. Aseptic meningitis (an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and pericarditis (an inflammation of the sac that surrounds the heart) were both issues that were causally linked to their exposure. However, there has been no conclusive medical research linking such cases to MFF, and they are extremely rare.
Other studies have found that exposure to welding fumes over the long term can cause a variety of other health problems. The list goes on to include cancer and pneumonia, the latter of which can be particularly deadly for those with compromised immune systems. These have nothing to do with the MFF.
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TREATMENT OF METAL FUME FEVER
The conventional treatment of metal fume fever is the same as that used for other flu-like illnesses. The key is to get plenty of sleep and drink lots of water. Aspirin or ibuprofen should alleviate most symptoms, including headaches, muscle aches, and joint pain. Milk, consumed either before or after welding on galvanised steel, is said to aid in the expulsion of toxins inhaled from the fumes.
Some people think it has to build up in your system for a while before it can do its thing. Some people have reported that they have been filling their mouths with milk only to spit it out, indicating that the milk has turned a greenish colour. Consumption of milk has not been shown to protect against metal fume fever.
PREVENTION OF METAL FUME FEVER
There are other ways to limit or prevent exposure, regardless of whether you believe drinking milk is a myth or not. The first step in reducing your exposure to fumes is to keep your head out of the area and to install local exhaust and/or general ventilation.
Compare your exposure to the Threshold Limit Values (TLV) or the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) if you have any doubts about the adequacy of the ventilation or exhaust (Material Safety Data Sheets). Someone with the necessary training and equipment can keep an eye on the situation and take readings as needed. When working with galvanised steel, it is important to have adequate ventilation and exhaust, and if these factors are unknown, it is imperative that you wear an approved respirator.
Finally, grinding could be used to get rid of the zinc. This will leave the metal vulnerable, but a protective coating can be applied after welding, depending on the amount used. It will take more time overall if you opt to grind.
There are two types of welders who will be interested in this article. They will initially view the claim that milk can protect against a now-recognized carcinogen as a joke. One of you needs to know if it’s true that drinking milk can shield you from the harmful effects of welding fumes, as you may have heard this from a friend. In the following, we examine the data and provide conclusive solutions.
Drinking milk to protect you from welding fume
One theory holds that zinc and cadmium levels in the body can be reduced simply by consuming milk, as the calcium in the milk will be absorbed and “fill up” the spaces those metals would otherwise occupy. The welder can reduce their exposure to these metals by filling these cracks.
The respiratory system is NOT involved in the process by which the body absorbs calcium; rather, this occurs in the digestive system. Therefore, drinking milk does not have any effect on the heavy metals that enter the respiratory system from inhaling welding fume. In addition, if one follows a balanced diet, there shouldn’t be a calcium deficiency, so the body won’t use the milk’s supplemental calcium (or very little).
As a filter, drinking milk before starting to weld can help keep your mouth from getting too dry.
One alternative explanation is that milk was held in the mouths of welders during the process. They would spit out the contaminated milk after they were done welding. Putting forth an effort to use it as a scrubber.
That entire premise is flawed. The welder can only breathe through their nose if they hold the milk in their mouth. Once again, the welder’s respiratory system is essential, as the welding fume must be brought to the lungs. Instead of trying to get rid of the fumes once they’ve already entered the body, a respirator worn and used correctly will reduce the likelihood that the welders will be exposed to them.
It’s vital to know your surroundings and the tools at your disposal when dealing with galvanised steel. It’s important to learn about the ventilation and exhaust system in your workplace.
If they are insufficient, you must use a respirator that has been approved. Grinding the zinc away prior to welding is another option. Consuming milk in order to avoid Metal Fume Fever appears to be an urban legend. You won’t find any convincing evidence that it helps your body eliminate toxins. But there’s no evidence that it’s harmful unless you’re lactose intolerant.
Conclusion
There is a general understanding among welders that their byproducts, such as gases and fumes, pose a significant health risk. Observing established safety procedures will lessen the likelihood of accidents or illnesses. Many welders believe that drinking milk can help them avoid getting sick from the toxins they encounter while working with galvanised steel. Taking precautions when welding Galvanized Steel can greatly reduce exposure to the potentially harmful zinc oxide fumes used by lifeguards to protect themselves from the sun.
The process of galvanising is used to prevent corrosion in steel, but it can be harmful to breathe in large quantities. Fumes from welding, brazing, or cutting galvanised steel can cause a condition called metal fume fever, which manifests similarly to the flu. Rapid onset of flu-like symptoms, including shivering, chills, hot and cold sweats, fever, chills, and vomiting, can follow high-dose zinc oxide exposure. Overshooting the maximum safe level can be fatal. Within 24 hours of ingestion, the effects of galvanise intoxication begin to wear off and illness sets in. In order to speed up the healing process, milk is suggested.
Metal Fume Fever is an acute illness characterised by fever that can develop in welders who are exposed to even minute amounts of microscopic zinc oxide particles while working (MFF). Headaches, fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, fatigue, joint pain, blood pressure fluctuations, chest pain, shortness of breath, and pneumonia are all possible outcomes. Zinc oxide has an OSHA-mandated maximum allowable concentration of 5 mg/m3 for an 8-hour work shift. Between 1,500 and 2,500 welders are estimated to contract MFF annually, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). In most cases, symptoms improve on their own within a day or two without the need for medical attention.
There have been reports of MFF in welders since the 1860s. Zinc oxide dust in the air affects cytokines in the body, especially in the lungs, causing metal fume fever (MFF). Due to the cytokine’s instruction to attack zinc in the same way it would attack a virus, the symptoms of MFF are similar to those of the common cold. Monday mornings are peak times for MFF, but it can be avoided by taking precautions like wearing a mask and protective clothing. Since there are currently more men than women working in the welding industry, men are more likely to be affected.
There are no known health risks associated with MFF, but there is a possibility that occupational asthma could develop from prolonged exposure to zinc oxide. One case study conducted in England followed a tradesman who had been diagnosed with MFF and found that he had a number of additional serious health problems. Long-term exposure to welding fumes is linked to a host of other health issues, including cancer and pneumonia, the latter of which can be fatal for people with compromised immune systems. Metal fume fever is treated in the same way as other flu-like illnesses, with rest and hydration being the cornerstones of care. There is no conclusive medical research linking the consumption of milk before or after welding on galvanised steel to MFF.
First and foremost, to reduce or eliminate exposure, you should stay away from the area and set up some sort of local exhaust and/or general ventilation system. The most critical information here is that when working with galvanised steel, one must always compare their exposure to the Threshold Limit Values (TLV) or the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and must always use a respirator that has been approved for use with such materials. The calcium in milk is absorbed and “fills up” the spaces zinc and cadmium would otherwise occupy, so drinking milk can help lower their levels in the body as well. Milk has no effect on heavy metals inhaled from welding fume because the respiratory system is not involved in the process of absorbing calcium. If you want to prevent your mouth from drying out while welding, however, a glass of milk is a good idea before you start.
When working with galvanised steel, it’s crucial to be aware of your surroundings and the tools at your disposal, as well as to wear an approved respirator. Milk consumption as a means of protecting against Metal Fume Fever appears to be an urban legend, as there is no proof that it aids in the elimination of toxins.
Content Summary
- Welders are aware that the gases and fumes they create can cause serious illness.
- Workers can reduce their risk of injury and illness by following some standard safety procedures.
- Metal Fume Fever can be brought on by inhaling the fumes produced in the welding, cutting, or brazing of galvanised steel.
- While cleaning the base metal, try to get rid of as much zinc as possible.
- Being exposed to a cloud of yellowish-green fumes could be a symptom of Galvanize poisoning.
- The severity of galvanise poisoning increases with duration of exposure to the fumes.
- Galvanizing poisoning symptoms are very similar to flu symptoms.
- In extreme cases, overexposure to zinc oxide can cause a wide variety of flu-like symptoms.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms more severe than those listed above.
- First signs of illness appear within hours.
- Tolerance to the fumes themselves appears to develop, however, with prolonged exposure to welders’ fume fever.
- Welders who are exposed to even trace amounts of microscopic zinc oxide particles while on the job can develop an acute, fever-based illness known as Metal Fume Fever (MFF).
- People may refer to this occupational hazard by a variety of names, including Metal Fume Fever.
- A diagnosis of MFF is made solely on the basis of your symptoms and your occupation.
- Zinc oxide dust in the air is the only known cause of MFF.
- Although MFF poses no health risks, prolonged exposure to zinc oxide at work may lead to occupational asthma.
- However, there has been no conclusive medical research linking such cases to MFF, and they are extremely rare.
- Other studies have found that exposure to welding fumes over the long term can cause a variety of other health problems.
- The key is to get plenty of sleep and drink lots of water.
- Consumption of milk has not been shown to protect against metal fume fever.
- When working with galvanised steel, it is important to have adequate ventilation and exhaust, and if these factors are unknown, it is imperative that you wear an approved respirator.
- They will initially view the claim that milk can protect against a now-recognized carcinogen as a joke.
- One of you needs to know if it’s true that drinking milk can shield you from the harmful effects of welding fumes, as you may have heard this from a friend.
- In the following, we examine the data and provide conclusive solutions.
- One theory holds that zinc and cadmium levels in the body can be reduced simply by consuming milk, as the calcium in the milk will be absorbed and “fill up” the spaces those metals would otherwise occupy.
- Therefore, drinking milk does not have any effect on the heavy metals that enter the respiratory system from inhaling welding fume.
- One alternative explanation is that milk was held in the mouths of welders during the process.
- The welder can only breathe through their nose if they hold the milk in their mouth.
- Once again, the welder’s respiratory system is essential, as the welding fume must be brought to the lungs.
- If they are insufficient, you must use a respirator that has been approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why must you wear a mask when welding?
They are necessary to prevent arc eye, a painful condition where the cornea is inflamed. Welding helmets can also prevent retina burns, which can lead to a loss of vision. Both conditions are caused by unprotected exposure to the highly concentrated infrared and ultraviolet rays emitted by the welding arc.
What happens if you weld without a mask?
Welding without adequate eye protection may cause photokeratitis, conjunctivitis, cataracts, skin cancer, burns to the retina and burns to the dermis.
Do welding masks fully protect your eyes?
Welding arcs emit both IR and UV wavelengths of light. Unprotected from this light, both eye damage and discomfort can occur. Since high-quality auto-darkening helmets provide UV and IR protection, even when the helmet is not activated, you are always protected.
Is it OK to weld without a helmet?
Well, welding is a job predicated on precision and good eyesight; without eye protection, you could risk damaging your cornea, which could lead to irreparable eye damage and vision loss. Also, a welding helmet can protect your hair from being burned during the welding process.
How can I protect my face from welding?
Wear a fire-resistant skull cap or balaclava hood under your helmet to protect your head from burns and UV radiation. Wear a welder’s face shield to protect your face from radiation and flying particles.
