Experts Conclude That Inhaling Weld Fumes Causes Cancer

 

Modern welding has been a vital part of the world’s industrial development since 1836 when acetylene was discovered in Great Britain by chemist Edmund Davy but in fact examples of so-called “forge welding” date back thousands of years. Welding’s impact on society is so widespread that it would be difficult to imagine the modern world without it.   From manufacturing vehicles to buildings to airplanes as well as thousands of other miscellaneous applications, welding is an essential process whose importance may not be overstated.

OSHA’s regulation of welding activities includes mandating the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent physical injuries during the welding procedures such as burns and eye damage.  In addition, the agency notes the health risks associated with inhaling gases produced during welding. These include the following:

 

  • Shielding—Argon, Helium, Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide.
  • Process—Nitric Oxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Ozone, Phosgene, Hydrogen Fluoride, Carbon Dioxide.

OSHA expects employers to provide, in general, a “safe and healthful workplace” and it appears from its position on welding that the hazards posed by inhaling these gases is not insignificant:  The agency states that “acute exposure to welding fume and gases can result in eye, nose and throat irritation, dizziness and nausea. Workers in the area who experience these symptoms should leave the area immediately, seek fresh air and obtain medical attention.  Prolonged exposure to welding fume may cause lung damage and various types of cancer, including lung, larynx and urinary tract.”

 

OSHA’s current welding safety standards, however, do not incorporate findings from a recent study conducted by 17 scientists from ten countries under the aegis of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).  Published in The Lancet medical journal in March of 2017, the researchers re-classified welding fume exposure from Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) to Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans).   The IARC’s message is clear, inhaling gases that are the by-products of welding do not “possibly” cause cancer, they do cause cancer.

 

In addition to medical experts determining that inhaling welding fume vapors causes cancer, other conditions, such as “metal fume fever”, kidney injuries, stomach ulcers, and nervous system damage are known to exist.  Welding in confined or unventilated spaces also may lead to suffocation since helium, argon and carbon dioxide gases displace oxygen.

 

The IARC’s conclusions leave little doubt that the welding process, as critical as it is to modern life, is much more of a health hazard than originally believed, especially after long-term exposure.   Employers should not wait to act to protect worker health since it may be years until the agency responds with a new set of standards.

 

 In light of the recent findings, OHSA’s current recommendations to mitigate the problem should be observed strictly for lack of more information. The following link leads to an OSHA Fact Sheet that reflects the agency’s current thinking regarding worker protection:  

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA_FS-3647_Welding.pdf