ER4145

Potential health effects

EYES: Fume can cause irritation. Ultraviolet radiation from welding can cause flash burns. SKIN: Can cause irritation. Ultraviolet radiation from welding can cause flash burns. INHALATION: Can cause respiratory tract irritation, metal fume fever, and other health effects listed below: Cancer hazard Aluminum is welded in a protective, inert atmosphere such as argon or helium using the MIG or TIG process. Welding processes generate welding fumes and an intense ultraviolet radiation that results in the formation of ozone, and oxides of nitrogen. Ultraviolet radiation from welding can also cause flash burns to the eyes and skin. • The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified welding fumes as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). • Exposure to low levels of ozone can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Inhalation can cause chest tightness, headache, shortness of breath, cough, wheeze, nausea, and narrowing of airways. Symptoms disappear when removed from exposure. • Exposure to high levels of ozone may cause acute respiratory distress with shortness of breath, pulmonary changes, hemorrhage, and pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs). Symptoms of pulmonary edema may be delayed for one or more hours. Exposure of test animals and human tissue to high concentrations has shown chromosomal changes, reproductive effects, blood changes, and death from lung congestion. • Oxides of nitrogen can cause irritation of the eyes, skin (when moist), and respiratory tract. Exposure to high levels of nitrogen oxides can cause delayed pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) which may be fatal. Nitric oxide can cause formation of methemoglobin, which decreases the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Chronic overexposure can cause pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs). • Overexposure to Aluminum dust/fines and fumes can cause reduced lung function and may be associated with neurological effects. Welding Material Sales 1340 Reed Road Geneva, IL 60134 Phone 630-232-6421 Fax 888-733-1512 E-mail: info@weldingmaterialsales.com • Overexposure to magnesium oxide fumes can cause respiratory tract irritation and fever, chills, shortness of breath, and malaise (metal fume fever). Temporary symptoms can include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and muscular pain. • Chronic exposure to inert dusts of silicon can cause increased airway resistance and contributes to chronic bronchitis. Intratracheal administration of silicon in rabbits produced significant pulmonary lesions. • Exposure to zinc oxide fumes subsequent to burning, welding, and molten metal work can result in fever, chills, shortness of breath, and malaise (metal fume fever), and upper respiratory tract irritation. Temporary symptoms can include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and muscular pain. Exposure to dust or fines presents a low health risk by inhalation. • Overexposure to manganese and manganese compounds above safe exposure limits can cause irreversible damage to the central nervous system, including the brain, symptoms of which may include slurred speech, lethargy, tremor, muscular weakness, psychological disturbances and spastic gait. • Hexavalent chromium (Chrome VI) can cause asthma, kidney damage, primary irritant dermatitis, sensitization dermatitis, skin ulceration, and pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs). Chronic inhalation or overexposure has been associated with lung, nasal, and gastrointestinal cancer. Hexavalent chromium is listed as carcinogenic to humans by IARC (Group 1)*. Chromium and some of its compounds are listed as carcinogenic by the NTP. Hexavalent chromium compounds may be generated during welding operations, with alloys containing chromium. A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF THE CHROMIUM IN THE FUMES CAN BE HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM, WHICH HAS A VERY LOW EXPOSURE LIMIT, 0.005 mg/m3 (5µg/m3 ). • The potential for overexposure to copper fume may exist when welding, flame cutting, etc. Overexposure to copper dust/mists can cause irritation of the eyes, skin, and upper respiratory tract. Chronic overexposure may result in blood disorders (anemia), and skin and hair discolorations. Overexposure to copper fume can result in respiratory tract irritation, nausea, and fever, chills, shortness of breath and malaise (metal fume fever). • Nickel dust and fume can cause skin sensitization, allergic contact dermatitis, and conjunctivitis. Chronic inhalation of high levels of nickel can cause irritation of airways and lungs, lung fibrosis (scarring of the lungs), nasal septum perforation, nasal sinusitis, respiratory sensitization and asthma. Nickel compounds have been associated with cancer of lungs, larynx, and paranasal sinuses in humans. Nickel compounds are listed on the NTP and are listed as carcinogenic to humans by IARC (Group 1)*. Nickel metal is possibly carcinogenic to humans as defined by IARC (Group 2B)*. • Beryllium can cause irritant dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, and skin granulomas. Inhalation of excessive levels of beryllium can result in acute pneumonitis (inflammation of the lung tissues). Beryllium can cause lung sensitization in susceptible individuals. Chronic inhalation of dust and fumes by these sensitized individuals can result in a serious, progressive disease called Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD). This disease, often misdiagnosed as sarcoidosis, is an allergic condition in which the lung tissues become inflamed. This inflammation, sometimes accompanied with fibrosis (lung scarring), restricts the uptake of oxygen into the blood stream. CBD can, over time, be fatal. Inhalation of beryllium has produced lung tumors in animals. Beryllium is listed on the NTP and is known to be carcinogenic to humans by IARC (Group 1)*. (See Section 8) • Lead inorganic dust and fume is listed as a possibly carcinogenic to humans by IARC Group 2B*. Overexposure to lead dust or fume can cause weakness of extremities (peripheral neuropathy), stomach disturbances, harm to the kidneys, liver, central nervous system, blood and blood forming tissues, and reproductive organs. Overexposure to lead has been associated with human reproductive effects (e.g. reduced fertility and damage to the fetus of exposed pregnant women). Lead is a cumulative toxic metal by inhalation or ingestion. • Warning This product contains or produces a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects (or other reproductive harm). (California Health & safety Code 25249.5 et seq.)

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

to the product Chronic lung disease, skin rashes, and asthma. *IARC CLASSIFICATIONS: Group 1: The agent is carcinogenic to humans. There is sufficient evidence that a casual relationship existed between exposure to the agent and human cancer. Group 2B: The agent is possibly carcinogenic to humans. Generally includes agents for which there is limited evidence in humans in the absence of sufficient evidence in experimental animals.