Hazardous Effects of Welding Profession

According to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a major risk health involves for the workers whose work includes exposure to manganism and manganese poisoning created by welding. These fumes cause damage to certain part of brain controlling body movements leading to impaired balance and slowness, trembling in the face and limbs and stiffness.

According to the study conducted by U.S. Department of Labor, brazing, welding and soldering workers are exposed to various hazards like poisonous fumes, hot materials and intense light. According to the data collected from 1992 to 2001, occupational injury caused to welders and cutters was much higher than any other profession. There are higher risks for the people who are currently working or worked in the industry where industrial welding is performed.  Exposure to welding fumes may cause serious diseases like manganism and Parkinson’s.

In early 2005, a worker at Missippi shipyard claimed that his neurological illness was caused due to the poisonous fumes created by welding rods. Workers lawsuit filed against two welding companies continued for a week. He was compensated for more than one million dollars for the damages caused to him.

As mentioned above, Manganism and Parkinson’s are the two most common diseases caused by exposure to welding fumes. Following is the description of both of these diseases:

Parkinson’s belongs to group of various conditions known as motor system disorders which results from the loss of dopamine that produces brain cells. Stiffness of the trunk and limb, postural instability, trembling of face, arms, limbs and jaw; and slowness of movement are four common symptoms of Parkinson’s. Patients encounter difficulty in walking, completing simple tasks and talking as the disease becomes pronounced

As the diseases occur gradually, symptoms are subtle. Sleep disruptions, urinary problem or constipation, depression and other emotional changes, skin problems and difficulty in speaking, swallowing and chewing.

When a person is exposed to excessive levels of manganese, portion of brain that controls body movements are injured. Symptoms of manganism include delusions and hallucinations, poor memory, fatigue, slow or slurred speech, headaches, tremors, difficulty in walking, impaired balance and disorientation.

According to recent studies, it is discovered that manganese fumes exposure causes early beginning of Parkinson’s disease.

According to he research conducted by the Washington University School of Medicine found that that the people who are exposed to manganese develops Parkinson’s much earlier than general population.