What you should know about welding respiratory hazards
Welding processes release harmful fumes made up of solid particles that are formed when the vaporized metal condenses and oxidizes. These particles travel to and become accumulated in the gas-exchange region of the lungs, where it can produce a range of adverse effects. Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (COHRS) requires that employees be limited from exposure to a concentration of an airborne chemical agent beyond the contaminant’s threshold value as established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH®).
Respiratory hazards should be assessed based on factors such as the amount of each substance produced, if each has similar toxicological effects, as well as their collective effect.