Hazardous Fumes Can Cause Serious Employee Health Issues

Different metals and processes release different types of fume, with some creating more hazardous conditions than others.

The particles in these fumes can be extremely hazardous to employees within the workspace.

Fume extraction is imperative for companies who work with welding, plasma cutting, fabrication, or other functions where metal is being affected with heat.

Here’s just three examples of what your employees could be facing without a fume extraction system:

Hexavalent Chromium (or Hex Chrome) is produced during welding and other hot work with metals that contain chromium. It is a carcinogenic substance that can cause relatively minor injuries, such as irritation to the upper respiratory system, eyes and skin. However, it has also been known to cause lung cancer and other serious medical problems in cases of long-term exposure.

Manganese is present in some steel alloys. Limited exposure to its fumes can cause headaches and exhaustion, but prolonged exposure can lead to “manganism” – a neurological disorder tied to Parkinson’s disease.

Zinc Oxide fumes generated when heating galvanized steel can cause temporary flu-like symptoms and is often mistaken for a common flu.

The complete list of the many hazardous chemicals and their effects, as well as the proper method to capture them, is complex. 

Call Summit. Let us help you install the right fume extraction system.