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Different types of welding rods can pose different health hazards to a person who works with or around these materials. Welding fumes from different types of welding rods have the potential to cause injury to workers employed in the welding industry. When considering different types of welding rods, it is important to reference the MSDS or Material Safety Data Sheet supplied as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This document will disclose what types of material the different types of welding rods contain, their potential safety hazards, and the proper precautions to take in order to prevent potential injury and illness from the inhalation of welding rod fumes.
There are two types of welding rods that have the potential to cause injury or illness to those who inhale these welding rod fumes: manganese and plastic types of welding rods. Types of welding rods that contain manganese can be especially dangerous. Exposure to manganese fumes from some types of welding rods can cause a person to develop a condition known as Parkinsonism, named as such because the disease closely mimics the debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinsonism is a chronic degenerative disease that severely compromises the central nervous system and motor functioning.
The welding industry has known for a long time that some types of welding rods have the potential to cause serious injury to workers who work with or near manganese types of welding rods. Welding rod fume exposure has been known to cause Parkinsonism since about 1837. Some experts claim that nearly forty percent of all those who work with manganese types of welding rods exhibit some symptoms of Parkinsonism. Symptoms of Parkinsonism can include tremors and shakes, balance and coordination problems, sexual dysfunction, slurred speech, facial muscle impairment, and damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, respiratory system, and fetal development.
Plastic types of welding rods can also pose a potential threat to people who work with these materials. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic types of welding rods pose one of the greatest threats compared to other plastic types of welding rods. When these types of welding rods are heated or burned they release harmful dioxin fumes into the air that can cause serious illness or injury to those exposed. There are alternative types of welding rods that are similar to PVC types of welding rods but pose a lower risk to human health.
Other types of welding rods may also pose a potential health threat to humans who work in or around welding rod processes. Types of welding rods that contain metals like manganese, zinc, lead, cadmium, mercury, beryllium, chromium, and nickel may all pose potential health risks. With all types of welding rods, health hazards can be reduced or eliminated when proper safety precautions are taken. When an employer fails to act in compliance with safety regulations for dangerous types of welding rods, they can be held liable for welding rod injuries that result from this negligence.
If you are interested in learning more about different types of welding rods, you may wish to contact an experienced and well qualified attorney in your area.
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