My brother took welding in high school and he loved to scare me with the mask the students used to protect their face and eyes. We would also use the mask to see astronomical phenomena when we could not look directly at the sun. That was the extent of my exposure to welding.
Welding is the joining of two or more pieces of metal by using intense heat. During this process, gases are formed and small solid particles are released into the air creating a plume that is referred to as “welding fumes.”
There are two high-risk areas of welding connected to hearing loss. The first is a Drop Weld ear injury, which can occur if any of the hot metal falls into the ear canal and burns. Often, the eardrum has a hole burnt into it. Instances have been reported when the metal then cools in the middle ear and hardens around the ossicles. In such cases, surgery to remove the metal and reconstruct the middle ear is needed. More and more of the masks used by professional welders are designed to cover the ears as well as well as the face. But those who weld as a hobby also need to cover their ears.
The other high risk that welders face is exposure to gases. Over a long period of time these gases can affect the welder in a variety of ways. These include causing hearing loss and also Parkinson’s disease and symptoms that are similar to Parkinson’s, which are linked to Manganese exposure. Manganese is one of the gases released in the welding fume. When performing a task, a welder can inhale the fumes, which may then enter the lungs, bloodstream, brain nerve cells, spinal cord, and other organs, resulting in both short and long-term effects.
Short-Term Health Effects of Welding Fume Exposure
Actinic keratoconjunctivitis
Appetite loss
Bronchitis
Coughing
Cramps
Encephalopathy
Eye, ear, nose, throat and chest irritation
Metal fume fever
Nausea
Pneumonitis
Shortness of breath
Vomiting
Long-Term Health Effects of Welding Fume Exposure
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 diseaseSymptoms of Manganese-Induced Parkinsonism
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
The take home on this? If you are going to do any welding, you must protect all the holes in your head- including your ears!
Welding poses risks to hearing health through physical ear injuries and exposure to gases, including manganese. Short-term effects include irritation and respiratory issues, while long-term effects range from chronic conditions to cancers. Protecting ears and working in well-ventilated areas is crucial for welders.
