Welding rod fumes pose a potentially dangerous threat to those in the welding industry. Serious injuries can result from inhalation of welding rod fumes including producing problems similar to Parkinson's disease and other central nervous system diseases.

According to internal documents, the welding industry was aware of health risks associated with welding rod fumes for decades.

If you or someone you know has been exposed to high levels of welding rod fumes and have experienced any of the aforementioned symptoms or serious medical concerns, you may be eligible to seek compensation for you injuries, expenses, and "pain and suffering."

If and you have a history of exposure to welding rod fumes, and are concerned you may be suffering injury as a result, please contact us for a FREE consultation. You can reach us at 1-866-304-2273 or 314-421-2273, or dfuleihan@dysart-law.com.

• Download and fill out the Welding Rod Questionnaire in PDF Format, and either mail or fax it to us at 314-621-6060.

What are the hazards of welding?

Welding rod fumes pose a potentially dangerous threat to those in the welding industry. Serious injuries can result from inhalation of welding rod fumes containing manganese. Manganese is a trace element found in the body, but high levels of exposure to welding rod fumes is toxic. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets threshold limit values of manganese exposure at five milligrams per cubic meter for a normal eight-hour day, five days a week. Any welding rod fumes beyond this level have the potential to cause serious, progressive and debilitating medical conditions.

Welding smoke or fumes is a mix of fine particles and gases; many of the particles, including arsenic, asbestos, manganese, carbon monoxide, lead and others, are very toxic. These harmful fumes and gases may come from any of the elements in the process, including the material being welded, the filler material used in brazing or soldering, or coatings and paints on the metal being welded.

Documentation of high risk occupations, such as with welding rod processes has continued to produce symptoms of Parkinson's disease and other central nervous system diseases. In addition to these health problems, there is another disease called manganism, which closely resembles Parkinson's disease or parkinsonism. Manganism or parkinsonism develops after years of exposure to welding fumes containing manganese.

For many years, workers in industries involving the use of welding rods were exposed to dangerous fumes for extended amounts of time without being aware of the dangers. The toxicity of manganese has been recognized since 1837 for its ability to affect the central nervous system, yet workers have been and continue to be exposed to the toxic fume emissions.

There are regulations requiring specific safety measures to prevent injury to welders from welding rod fumes. Proper ventilation is essential to protect against welding rod fumes, and welding in closed spaces requires the use of a self-contained breathing apparatus. If there is any cancer-causing substance present in the air, respirators must be provided and workers properly trained in their use.

There are medical tests that can measure manganese exposure levels in the body. If you or someone you know has been exposed to high levels of welding rod fumes and have experienced any of the aforementioned symptoms or serious medical concerns, you may be eligible to seek compensation for you injuries, expenses, and "pain and suffering."

One unpublished finding studied twenty thousand welders who were exposed to welding rod fumes and the same number of non-welders. This study found that those exposed to high levels of welding rod fumes developed signs of Parkinsonism ten percent of the time, whereas those in the non-welding population developed symptoms of Parkinson's Disease one percent of the time. It has also been found that those exposed to welding rod fumes develop Parkinson's symptoms fifteen years earlier than Parkinson's disease patients in the non-welding population.

Lawsuits

Welding rod litigation has been around since the 1970s and has resulted in large jury awards. The Industry continues to claim there is no link between welding rod fumes and Parkinson's disease and other effects but workers have alleged the welding industry has been concealing known hazards. The welding industry has even published its own study results finding welding fume exposure safe. Despite the industry's attempt to discredit any allegations of connections between welding rod fumes and serious illness, the National Electrical Manufacturer's Association's Arc Welding Section, a large welding industry trade organization, has issued technical documents indicating its knowledge of manganese as a toxic substance in welding rod fumes.

Studies performed on manganese and its association to Manganism and Parkinson's disease has been confirmed in several recent studies. For years, the link between manganese exposure and Parkinson's disease has been disputed, though the documentation of high risk occupations, such as with welding rod processes has continued to produce symptoms of Parkinson's disease and other central nervous system diseases.

The casual connection between welding fumes and neurological injuries has been recognized for years, and documented in various medical publications. Unlike other neurotoxic disorders, manganese exposure has a slow effect on the body, so welders that were working with occupational exposure years ago may just now be noticing symptoms and becoming diagnosed properly.

According to internal documents, the welding industry was aware of health risks associated with the manganese exposure for decades. The failure to take adequate measures to ensure the safety of workers in the welding rod industry has been the main allegation for the welding rod lawsuits that have resulted over the years.

Even though manganese levels are regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration because of its' high level of toxicity, safety violations including dangerous exposure to welding rod fumes continue to be reported.

The National Safety Council has said inhalation or ingestion of manganese dust or fumes can cause a wide range of symptoms in addition to Parkinson's Disease, including insomnia, mental confusion, metal fume fever weakness, paralysis, dry throat, cough, tight chest, flu-like fever, low-back pain and vomiting. Researchers continue to suspect minerals like manganese are somehow connected to the development of Parkinson's disease.

What is manganism or manganese poisoning?

Manganism or parkinsonism occurs when an excess of the heavy metal manganese injures the part of the brain that controls deliberate body movements, such as walking, speaking, and swallowing. It is caused by exposure to welding rod fumes containing manganese.

Manganism is one result of high exposure to welding rod fumes. This disease affects the central nervous system. It is also known as Parkinsonism because its symptoms mirror those of Parkinson's disease.

These symptoms include:

• Shaking or tremors
• Extreme slowness or difficulty in movement, difficulty writing
• Loss of motor functioning, muscle stiffness, aches, pains
• Slurred or changed speech patterns, poor balance
• Poor memory
• Difficulty with facial expressions, swallowing or eating and
• Depression.

Although the injury to the brain is almost always permanent, the symptoms can be treated.

Other Signs & Symptoms of Over-exposure:

According to one Material Safety Data Sheet regarding welding rod fumes, the following signs and symptoms of overexposure are detailed.

Short term or acute over-exposure to welding rod fumes can lead to:

• Dizziness
• Metal fume fever
• Nausea
• Dryness or irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.

Long term or chronic exposure to welding rod fumes can lead to:

• Chronic bronchitis
• Lung fibrosis
• Impairment of pulmonary functioning
• Siderosis (iron deposits in the lungs), or
• Serious damage to the central nervous system.

What should I do next?

If you are suffering with any of the symptoms of manganism, parkinsonism or Parkinson's disease and you have not yet sought medical help, please do so immediately. Only a doctor can give you an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment. If you have a history of exposure to welding rod fumes, be sure to inform your doctor about manganism.

If you have seen your doctor and received a diagnosis of manganism, Parkinson's disease or secondary parkinsonism, and you have a history of exposure to welding rod fumes, please contact us for a FREE consultation. You can reach us at 1-866-304-2273 or 314-421-2273, or dfuleihan@dysart-law.com.

There is no cost to you for The Dysart Law Firm to provide representation; our fees are based on a percentage of any damages we may recover.

Free screening

• Download and fill out the Welding Rod Questionnaire in PDF Format, and either mail or fax it to us at 314-621-6060.

Welding Rod Exposure Screening
The Dysart Law Firm
720 Olive Street, Suite 2250
St. Louis, Missouri 63101

Toll Free: 866-304-2273

Related Links:

American National Standard Institute
http:// www.ansi.org

Material Safety Data Sheet http://www.phys.ksu.edu/area/jrm/Safety/msds.html

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists http://www.acgih.org/home.htm

Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 http://www.epa.gov/region5/defs/html/osha.htm

National Safety Counsel
http://www.nsc.org/