Collision Repair Training | United States
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Current Events/News: Advantage Online: 2002 Archives
WELDING AND PARKINSON’S DISEASE
Welding in a collision repair facility is not considered occupational welding, since welding is only an occasional task for a collision repair technician. Still, regardless of how often a technician is welding, the toxins are present in the fumes and the proper precautions should be taken. Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressive disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement, muscle control, and balance. With Parkinson's, cells are destroyed in part of the brain stem. Symptoms include tremors, slowed movement, and postural instability. Patients can experience depression, sleep disturbances, dizziness, and problems with speech, swallowing, and sexual functioning. The Manganese Factor The fume that is believed to be responsible is manganese, included in most compositions of mild steel, carbon steel, and GMA (MIG) welding wire. It's been long known that manganese contains nerve toxins, which affect the nervous system after chronic (long term) exposure. This is the first time that Parkinson's disease has been linked to manganese. Particulate Respirator Will Protect Welding smoke is a fume, not a vapor. Fumes are made up of tiny solid particles, lighter than air, and small enough to be inhaled. Wear a particulate air-purifying respirator, which has layers of material that trap the particles. An N95 welding respirator will trap 95% of the particulates (see Figure 1). The respirator shown also has a thin layer of activated carbon to absorb the small amount of "nuisance" vapors that are created from the welding arc, such as ozone and nitrogen oxide. This is a problem especially when GMA (MIG) or GTA (TIG) welding aluminum. Not all welding respirators have this capability. Check the respirator specifications to see if the respirator protects against nuisance vapors.
The most efficient particulate respirator has P100 cartridges, which will trap 99.97% of the particulates. This respirator is universally colored a light purple (see Figure 2). The respirator shown also has thin layers of activated carbon to absorb nuisance vapors. Other Hazards There are several other reasons to wear a welding respirator when welding. The zinc coating in automotive steels can cause metal fume fever, which feels like the flu and goes away shortly after the exposure ends. If there are paints or other coatings on the metal when welding, there are numerous other hazards present. To find out more about the Parkinson's disease study and other welding hazards, go to: www.weldingandparkinsonsdisease.com or visit the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) website at: www.cdc.gov/niosh. |
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