Welding: Bonding procedure, aerosol forming.
Dangers and health risks resulting from welding.
During welding processes several dangerous gaseous substances and particles develop. These substances form out of:
- Basic and additive material,
- shielding gas,
- coatings and
- general impurities.
Due to the high temperatures during the welding process these substances form through different physical and/or chemical processes:
- Evaporation,
- condensation,
- oxidation,
- corrosion,
- pyrolysis and
- burning.
Particles which develop during welding are exclusively alveolar, that means they penetrate even the smallest pulmonary alveoles and are generally known as "welding fume". Substances which develop during welding have got different effects on the human body; iron oxide, for example, can lead to increased stress on the lungs. Another negative effect may even be obstructive bronchitis or siderosis. General health hazards are:
- Stress on pulmonary function
- deposit of dust in the lungs
- siderosis
- aluminosis
Protective measurements and air filtration
Effective air filtration and cleaning is the only possibility to remove contaminants out of the respiratory aera of a welder and the workshop as a whole. Furthermore, facilities and workshops are protected against pollution of welding fume particles, which very often form a greasy layer on surfaces.
