Welding fumes

Synonyms & Trade Names

Physical Description

Fumes generated by the process of joining or cutting pieces of metal by heat, pressure, or both.

Incompatibilities & Reactivities

Varies

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending upon the specific component of the welding fumes; metal fume fever: flu-like symptoms, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), cough, muscle pain, fever, chills; interstitial pneumonitis; [potential occupational carcinogen]

Cancer Site

[lung cancer]

Respirator Recommendations

NIOSH

At concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any detectable concentration:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus

Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted organic vapor canister having an N100, R100, or P100 filter.
Click here for information on selection of N, R, or P filters.
Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus

Important additional information about respirator selection