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Welding fume exposure in the workplace is a serious occupational hazard. Employee exposure to welding fumes, specifically to those that contain manganese, has garnered national media attention within the last few years. Thousands of welders have filed lawsuits against welding rod manufacturers, distributors and suppliers alleging that the manganese present in welding fumes causes a host of illnesses, including Parkinson's disease. While manganese exposure does lead to symptoms that are similar to Parkinson's disease, further research must be conducted to confirm a connection between manganese and Parkinson's. This article is adapted from recent print and online resources to provide an overview of:
welding fumes and the health effects of manganese present in these fumes; the differences between Parkinson's disease and manganese-induced parkinsonism; current litigation among welders; measures to protect welders from welding fumes.
Exposure to welding fumes can cause numerous health problems. When inhaled, welding fumes can enter the lungs, bloodstream, brain nerve cells, spinal cord and other organs and can cause both short- and long-term health effects (see sidebar above). Of the many welders who work in factories or in the construction, ironworks, manufacturing, mining, metallurgy, petrochemical, railroad, shipbuilding or steel industries, most suffer from some sort of respiratory illness or pulmonary infection. In recent years, however, the effects of manganese welding fume exposure on welders' health have warranted closer study. Manganese is a naturally occurring metal and the twelfth most abundant element on earth. It is a highly reactive gray-white metal that resembles iron, and it is often added to carbon steel and stainless steel to increase hardness, stiffness and strength. In addition to steel, manganese is found in many different types of welding rods and wire, and it is considered the most harmful metal present in welding fumes. Even when used properly, manganese welding rods can still emit manganese fumes. An essential trace nutrient, manganese is necessary for healthy skin, bones and cartilage in humans, but high concentrations of manganese in the body, often referred to as "manganese poisoning" or "manganism," can irreversibly damage the brain and central nervous system. Studies have shown that exposure to high levels of manganese welding fumes for only a few months can cause sickness, and since many welders are exposed to these fumes on a regular basis, they are at an increased risk of developing manganism or "Welder's Disease." According to National Safety Council, exposure to manganese dust or fumes can cause:
asthenia; dry throat and cough; dyspnea; encephalopathy; fatigue; fever; insomnia; lower back pain; malaise; mental confusion; metal fume fever; paralysis; rales; spastic gait; tightness in the chest; vomiting; weakness.
Documented cases of manganese poisoning date back to the early 19th century. During this time, J. Couper, an English physician, published a report in which he described how workers in a manganese ore grinding plant in France developed symptoms of manganese poisoning such as loss of muscle control, slowed movements and lowered speech. Throughout the 20th century,
other occurrences of manganese poisoning had been found in Chilean miners, Taiwanese ferromanganese smelters and in those involved in the manufacture of dry batteries. As these and other cases mounted, few could deny the link between routine manganese exposure and ill health. Further studies have addressed the effects of manganese on welders. In 1932, a published article advised welders to avoid working with manganese electrodes. In 1963, Dr. Irving Sax, a toxicologist, published a book in which he detailed the negative effects of manganese on the nervous system and the risks of manganese exposure during electric arc welding. In 1981, World Health Organization (WHO) recognized chronic manganese poisoning as a serious occupational health hazard among welders. Today, studies show that a substantial percentage of welders have developed symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease (see sidebar below). This condition is referred to as "manganese-induced parkinsonism, which is different from Parkinson's disease. Still, many contend that manganese welding fumes are a direct cause of Parkinson's disease and of the increased risk of the disease among welders.
drooling; fixed gaze; gait changes; loss of facial expressions; slow reflexes.
Although the cause of Parkinson's disease remains unknown, many believe that environmental factors are to blame, especially since welders tend to develop Parkinson's at a higher rate than others. A recent study of 20,000 welders determined that 10 percent had developed Parkinson's disease as compared to only one percent of the general population. Also, the onset of the disease in welders tends to occur around age 46, about 17 years earlier than in other Parkinson's patients. Many assert that exposure to manganese welding fumes is directly responsible for the elevated rate of Parkinson's disease among welders. However, no conclusive studies confirm this theory. It is important to note that manganese-induced parkinsonism differs from Parkinson's disease because it appears to affect the basal ganglia region of the brain and not the substantia nigra. Those with manganese-induced parkinsonism also do not respond well to dopamine therapy, which is normally used to treat Parkinson's patients.
While exposure to manganese can disrupt normal neurological processes, welding fumes contain other metals such as aluminum, copper and lead, which may also be risk factors in the development of Parkinson's disease. Other issues, such as how much manganese must be present in welding fumes to incur toxic effects and the duration of exposure to these fumes, are still under debate. Some suggest that Parkinson's disease may actually encompass a combination of symptoms that have overlapping characteristics. Before a concrete association between manganese welding fume exposure and Parkinson's disease can be determined, further research must be conducted that takes into account the neurological differences behind manganese-induced parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease.
In the meantime, more and more welders have begun to file workers' compensation claims citing welding fume exposure, and a class-action lawsuit involving 3,700 plaintiffs was recently filed in West Virginia. Many legal experts predict that welding fume litigation could rival that of asbestos given the considerable number of claimants.
Respirators
Employers may choose to supplement ventilation systems in welding work areas with respiratory protection. All respirators used in the workplace must be certified by NIOSH, and employers should select those that afford welders the best possible protection. Employers must also adhere to OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard, which requires employers to implement a written respirator program with procedures that are specific to the work area, develop a medical surveillance program to evaluate employee's medical capability to wear a respirator and deliver training on the proper use and storage of respiratory protection. This program should be evaluated regularly. Employers are responsible for selecting the right respirators for their individual employee jobs while providing welders with guidelines for appropriate respirator storage, cleaning and filter replacement.
Training
In addition to training welders in the correct use of respirators and other PPE, all employers should advise welders to avoid standing directly in the welding fume plume (no matter whether
they are working indoors or outdoors) and to position themselves so that the fumes and dust particles do not accumulate inside their face shields. Employers should also train nonwelders not to stand in or near the welding fume plume. Employers should enforce the use of engineering controls, safety practices and emergency procedures that mitigate welders' exposure to fumes, and they should also teach welders to heed all signs, labels and other markings in the work area which warn welders of fume exposure hazards. These warnings must be clearly presented throughout the area. All employers and welders should be familiar with ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting and Allied Processes, copies of which should be readily available throughout the workplace. Employers should also make a conscious effort to promote healthy habits among welders. A company-sponsored smoking cessation program and annual physical exams are just a few ways in which employers can positively impact the well-being of their welders.
Conclusion
As welding fume lawsuits escalate in number and severity, employers must play an active role in preventing welding fume exposure in the workplace. The health risks associated with routine manganese exposure are many, but more must be done to verify the existence of a relationship between manganese and Parkinson's disease.
References
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"Protecting the Rights of Welders." Brayton Purcell LLP, 2005. http://www.welding-roddangers.com. "Q&A: Common Questions about Manganese-Related Welding Rod Litigation." Welding Rod Litigation Information Network. http://www.weldinginfonetwork.com/qa. Racette, B.A., et al. "Welding-Related Parkinsonism: Clinical Features, Treatment and Pathophysiology." Neurology. 56(2001): 8-13. Spear, J. "Welding Fume and Gas Exposure." J.E. Spear Consulting, LLC, 2004. http://www.jespear.com/Welding.pdf. "Toxic Exposure Litigation." Hinshaw & Culbertson. Environmental Law Bulletin. July 2002, Volume 1, Issue 1. "Welding Basics." Welding Information Center Library and Knowledge Base. http://www.weldinginfocenter.com/basics. "Welding Fumes: What You Need to Know." UCLA Labor Occupational Safety & Health Program, August 2003. http://www.losh.ucla.edu/catalog/factsheets/welding_english.pdf#search='LOSHpercent20weldi ngpercent20fumes'. "Welding Fumes and Gases-Hazard Alert." The Center to Protect Workers' Rights. http://www.cpwr.com/hazpdfs/kfwelding.PDF#search='Weldingpercent20Fumes percent20andpercent20Gasespercent2Cpercent20cpwr'. "Welding Galvanized Steel." International Zinc Assn. http://www.iza.com/zwo_org/Applications/Continuous_Galv/030609.htm. "Welding Galvanized Steel Safely." Sperko Engineering Services Inc., 1999. http://www.sperkoengineering.com/html/articles/WeldingGalvanized.pdf. "Welding, Manganese Exposure and Parkinson's: The Next Asbestos?" State Compensation Insurance Fund. http://www.scif.com/safety/losscontrol/Article.asp?ArticleID=315. "Welding Rods." CounselSeek. http://www.counselseek.com/WeldingRodsinjury.asp. "Welding Rod Fumes and Parkinson's Disease." Lawyers and Settlements. https://www.layersandsettlements.com/case/welding.html. "What Is Parkinson's Disease?" Brayton Purcell LLP, 2005. http://www.welding-roddangers.com/illness/illness_parkinsons.htm. SIDEBAR No. 1:
Actinic keratoconjunctivitis Appetite loss Bronchitis Coughing Cramps Encephalopathy Eye, ear, nose, throat and chest irritation Metal fume fever Nausea Pneumonitis Shortness of breath Vomiting
Chronic asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, siderosis, silicosis Gastritis or stomach ulcers Genitourinary cancers Hearing loss Heart disease Kidney damage Laryngeal cancers Lead poisoning Lung cancer Neurologic complications Pulmonary edema Pulmonary fibrosis Skin disease
Anxiousness Decreased coordination Difficulty walking Emotional changes Impotence Irritability Loss of balance Nighttime leg cramps Physical stiffness Poor handwriting Shaking or tremors
Short-term memory loss Slowed movements Slurred speech Tightening of facial muscles