Effects of Welding rod and Welding Exposure

Welding rod Exposure

Welding is the process in which the metals are joined by applying heat with pressure and with intermediate metal which have high melting point. This intermediate metal used for joining metals together is called welding rod. Most of the welding rods used by welders contain high percentage of manganese. Manganese strengths a metal when fused by welding process. This is one of the major reasons for using it in welding rods.

A gas is produced in heating and melting the metals. These welding gases are hazardous for welders because they inhale these fumes when released into air. It is during the welding rod operations that workers breathe these gases. Manganese is highly toxic in nature and settles quickly into the tissues and blood stream of human body.

Workers in the welding industry are exposed to higher levels of manganese exposure than general population. Prolonged and frequent manganese exposure causes a disease called manganism. It is also known as Welders disease. Few symptoms of manganese are similar to Parkinson’s disease. It is because of this reason that manganism has classified as Parkinson’s syndrome.

The workers exposed to manganese fumes develop the side effects of Parkinson’s earlier than the people who are not exposed to it. People exposed to welding rods have higher risk for developing Parkinson’s, asthma and other diseases as compared not those who are not exposed to it. Other than the manganese, welders are exposed to other dangerous elements also. Though the scientists and manufacturers were aware of these hazardous effects, they failed to provide warnings and safety equipments to the workers in the welding industry.

Effects of Welding Rod Exposure on Human Health

Manganese is one of the most hazardous environmental toxins. Though manufacturers are aware of the harmful effects of manganese, they continue to use it because it is cheaper than other substances.  Thus, choosing profits over safety. As symptoms of manganism are similar to Parkinson’s, it is also known as Parkinson’s syndrome. It is an incurable disease damaging central nervous system and affects the neurotransmitter dopamine.  Following are the symptoms of Parkinson’s:

• Difficulty in swallowing
• Tremors affecting various parts of the body
• Difficulty in locomotion
• Difficulty with speech
• Reduction of facial expression

Neurological problems and disorder of central nervous system are caused by welding fumes exposure. Following are the typical symptoms of neurological problems and disorder of central nervous system :

• Hand stiffness and pain
• Slow movement
• Loss of balance
• Joint and muscle pain
• Slow or slurred speech
• Short term memory problems
• Shakiness
• Sterility in men
• Rigid muscles or decreased movements