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Welding Rod Fumes
History and Background
The science behind the law:
A recent study from scientists at the
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis,
Missouri, have discovered data that relates Parkinson’s
disease to exposure to fumes from welding rods. Scientific
studies have related Parkinson’s disease to welding in the
past through exposure to manganese in the welding rods and
materials have sometimes referred to this welders’ illness
as manganese poisoning or manganism. The Washington University
study states that the conditions experienced by welders are
not two different illnesses, but are in fact both Parkinson’s
disease.
The most significant fact is that the study
found welders who had been exposed to these fumes were likely
to develop side effects and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
(15) fifteen years earlier than an average individual not
exposed to welding rod fumes.
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Legal Issues Surrounding Welding Rod Fumes
Both scientists and manufacturers of welding rods have
known that there was a higher incidence of Parkinson’s
disease and asthma among welders and other individuals exposed
to manganese and other dangerous elements contained in welding
rods. The manufacturers, however, failed to adequately warn of
these ill effects, and for years, have failed to instruct
employers of welders on how they can keep their workers safe.
It is likely that the average welder never knew the danger
that lingered even after the torch had been cut off.
Side Effects and Signals
Ø Anxiety
Ø Decreased hand agility
Ø Depression
Ø Difficulty
walking
Ø Distorted
facial expression
Ø Increased irritability
Ø Joint
pain
Ø Loss
of equilibrium (balance)
Ø Loss
of short term memory
Ø Shakiness
Ø Sinus
problems
Ø slowed
movement
Ø Slurred
speech or slow speech
Ø Stiffness
in arm and leg muscles
Ø Sudden
and/or severe mood changes
Ø Tremors
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