Welding
fumes contain many elements including, fluorine,
manganese, zinc, lead, arsenic, calcium, sulfur,
chlorine and nickel. Additionally, many gases are
released by the welding process including, carbon
monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and ozone.
Welding rods, electrodes and welding wire contain
manganese. Manganese, while present in nature, can
be harmful to the body when excessive amounts of
the element are ingested or inhaled. As a welder,
or welder-helper, perform their tasks, they are
subject to ingestion of manganese through inhalation.
Manganese is absorbed
by the body and stored in tissue, including the
brain tissue. Scientists have observed excessive
levels of manganese effecting a certain part of
the brain called the basal ganglia. The basal ganglia
controls movements within the body. These movement
disorders are defined as “Parkinson like”. While
all facets of this phenomena are not understood,
it is becoming very clear that the conditions do
exist.
RESEARCH
While
manganese is the 12th most common element and the
5th most common element found in the earth’s crust,
overexposure to manganese through inhalation may
cause serious neurological damage, Since 1937, there
have been many reports of manganese toxicity in
workers. Researchers at Washington University
in St. Louis have determined that overexposure
to welding fumes can trigger the early onset of
Parkinson’s disease. Other researchers have indicated
that manganese and Parkinson’s disease have been
linked for well over a century. Manganese
is a respiratory tract irritant, and can cause inflammation
of the lungs. Welders and welder helpers are primarily
exposed through the breathing of fumes produced
by welding rods. All unprotected welders and helpers
are exposed to these fumes. However, the incident
of neurological effect is compounded by overexposure.
Constant exposure over a period of time will
lead to more significant problems.
EFFECT
OF OVEREXPOSURE TO MANGANESE
Manganism, which
resembles Parkinson’s Disease, in it’s effect upon
the body, is also caused by overexposure to manganese.
Welders, railroad workers, miners and steel workers
all are subject to these neurological disorders
if they have a work history which includes overexposure
to welding fumes. Early onset of Parkinson disease
has been seen in these groups as much as 15 years
earlier than in control groups who have not been
exposed to welding fumes. Some of the effects
on the body related to this overexposure are:
- Tremors
-
Hand-eye coordination
- Weakness
- Lethargy
-
Clumsiness
- Walking difficulties
- Facial
Expression changes
- Speech Problems
-
Breathing Problems
- Sexual Dysfunction
If you believe that
you are suffering from the above symptoms and have
considerable welding exposure in your working career,
please feel free to click on the link to the left
(or click here)
for the manganese questionnaire.
LINKS
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