Table of Contents
Clinical presentation: Metal fume fever typically presents with generally non-specific complaints including influenza-like symptoms, fever, shaking chills, arthalgias, myalgias, headache, and malaise. Onset of symptoms typically occurs 4-10 h following the exposure to metal-containing fumes.
How does metal fume cause fever?
The metal fume fever (MFF) is an inhalation fever syndrome in welders of galvanized steel, who join and cut metal parts using flame or electric arc and other sources of heat. Inhalation of certain freshly formed metal oxides produced from welding process can cause MFF as an acute self-limiting flulike illness.
How serious is metal fume fever?
The symptoms start to appear several hours after exposure. Metal fume fever arising from exposure to zinc fume is transient, and recovery is usually complete within a few days. However exposure to some metal fume, such as cadmium, can cause more serious illness, or even death.
How do you test for metal fume fever?
There are no specific tests to diagnose or exclude metal fume fever. Blood or urine zinc determinations do not have a role in clinical diagnosis of the syndrome. Other useful laboratory studies include CBC.
What does metal fume fever mean?
Metal fume fever is a diagnosed with exposure to metal fumes within the last 48 hours and ‘flu-like’ symptom development with resolution within 1–2 days. Metal fume fever is most likely to present on Monday due to loss of tolerance over the weekend in occupational welders.
Why do welders drink milk?
Holding the milk in your mouth forces the welder to breathe through their nose. Again, this process relies on the respiratory system with the welding fume being transported to the welder’s lungs.
What is the treatment for metal fume fever?
Treatment: The primary treatment for both metal fume fever and polymer fume fever is supportive and directed at symptom relief. Oral hydration, rest, and the use of antipyretics and anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin) are recommended.
How do you prevent metal fume fever?
Prevention of metal fume fever in workers who are at risk (such as welders) involves avoidance of direct contact with potentially toxic fumes, improved engineering controls (exhaust ventilation systems), personal protective equipment (respirators), and education of workers regarding the features of the syndrome itself.
What happens when inhale metal?
Metal fumes are easily inhaled, causing dizziness and nausea. If you are exposed to them over a long time, even in small quantities, they can cause lung damage, and cancers of the lungs, larynx, and urinary tract. They also cause metal fume fever, stomach ulcers, kidney damage, and damage to the central nervous system.
Can welding fumes make you sick?
Welding fumes can cause serious health problems for workers if inhaled, according to OSHA. Short-term exposure can result in nausea, dizziness, or eye, nose and throat irritation. Prolonged exposure to welding fumes can lead to cancer of the lung, larynx and urinary tract, as well as nervous system and kidney damage.
What effects can metal fumes have?
Acute effects include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, nausea and “Metal Fume Fever.” Common electrode coating and flux material for both low- and high-alloy steels. Acute effect is irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. Long-term exposures may result in bone and joint problems.
How do you know if you have galvanized poisoning?
The symptoms of galvanize poisoning are much like the symptoms of the flu. Shortly after galvanize poisoning sets in, you will experience nausea and a headache. Severe cases will align with symptoms of the flu like chills, cold sweats, vomiting, fever, and shaking.
What happens if you breathe in welding fumes?
Prolonged exposure to welding fume may cause lung damage and various types of cancer, including lung, larynx and urinary tract. . Health effects from certain fumes may include metal fume fever, stomach ulcers, kidney damage and nervous system damage.
What are metal fumes?
Metal fumes are byproducts of the welding of metals like lead, nickel, chromium, and mercury. Although invisible to the naked eye, metal fumes are generated when the filler rod or base metal gets vaporized during the various welding processes. They then condense as very fine particles.
What happens if you weld galvanized metal?
When galvanized steel is welded, the zinc coating at and around the weld burns away, leaving the area uncoated and unprotected. As a result, the unprotected bare weld could suffer from expedient weld failure.
Is Brass toxic to humans?
Unlike all of those previously mentioned dangerous metals, pure brass is non-toxic and has no links to health complications.
Which is better AC or DC welder?
A smoother welding output than with AC. A more stable arc. Less spatter. DC negative offers faster deposition rates when welding thin sheet metals.
Is it safe to weld in the rain?
Rain isn’t the only water hazard for welders. Any type of moisture, including your own sweat, can pose a danger. Welding gear is specifically designed to negate the effects of electricity. But if your gear becomes wet, its protection is voided.
What is the easiest welder for beginners?
MIG welders are among the best type for beginners, as they’re designed with a wire welding electrode on a spool that is fed at a pre-selected speed through a welding gun. As a semi-automatic or automatic process, gas metal arc welding (GMAW or MIG), is the easiest to learn.
How long does it take to recover from metal fume fever?
Metal fume fever is an influenza-like syndrome with fever, myalgias, profuse sweating, and other symptoms that usually occur 3–10 hours after heavy exposure to a variety of metal oxides. The symptoms usually disappear after 24–48 hours (Mueller and Seger, 1985).
Can you get sick from welding aluminum?
Aluminum welding may generate fumes consisting of fluorine, arsenic, copper, silicon, and beryllium (NIOSH 1975h and American Welding Society 1974, both as cited in ACGIH 1986/Ex. Excessive exposure to welding fume can cause a variety of disorders, most notably metal fume fever.
Can galvanized steel be welded?
Galvanized steel is just normal steel coated with a thick layer of zinc. As for the welding method, once the zinc coating is removed and you’re using the proper safety techniques, you can weld galvanized steel just as you would normal steel.
