Arc welding creates fume, a natural particulate by-product which is easily inhaled. When steel is welded, fume can contain manganese, chromium and nickel, which can be toxic in certain chemical states. It is often unclear whether such states exist in welding fume, and if they do, in what quantity they are present. This research studies the amount and type of chemicals found in welding fume and how the production of potentially dangerous chemicals can be limited by optimizing the welding process. The information found will be of interest to the million welders worldwire and particularly to the U.S. Navy shipyards, who will spend up to an estimated $46 million a year if required to comply to stricter welding fume standards.
Interest in welding fume research was prompted by recent mandates by OSHA and others to cut permissable exposure limits for metal fumes. Such restrictions will have a major impact on the costs of naval construction. The Office of Naval Research is therefore funding our work. The purpose of our project is to understand the science -- the physics and chemistry -- of welding fume.
Early work focuses on the health effects associated with chromium in welding fume. Chromium is an important component of stainless steel, and, currently, health effects in workers have been observed in industries such as chrominium electroplating and chrome tanning of leather. Literature shows that the exact nature of chromium in welding fume, and the introduction of chromium into the human body are not very well understood. We are in the process of presenting a scientific and thorough explanation for the role of chromium in welding fume, as well as understanding the general nature of fume better.
For more information about welding fume, go to the website of Dr. Neil Jenkins.
