Toxic Gases and Fumes

Both welding and cutting involve hot temperatures and molten metals. In the welding process metals are melted and are bonded together as they cool. During the cutting process, a torch fueled by oxygen and acetylene is used to cut away metals to provide separation of components. Key elements to consider in both of these processes are  

Toxic gases can easily be generated by welding or cutting on galvanized, painted, chromed, or coated surfaces. OSHA maintains permissible exposure limits (PELs) for a variety of gases, fumes, dusts, vapors, and mists. 

Toxic gases create inhalation exposures as they are generated during welding and could produce one or more of the following effects  

Primary pulmonary gases that can impair or injure the lungs and pulmonary system of workers when 

Nonpulmonary gases are also generated during welding they are carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. 

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The generation of toxic gases and fumes from industrial waste dumps is a further source of public health hazards. Chemical wastes are also known to cause serious health threats to scavengers and other exposed perscms, sometimes long after the time of disposal. 

Seaton, A. and W.K. Morgan. 1984. Toxic gases and fumes. In Occupational Lung Diseases, second edition, W.K. Morgan and A. Seaton, eds., pp. 609-642. Philadelphia W.B. Saunders. 

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