Hey everyone. I welded all day on this past tuesday and wednesday and late wednesday i started getting a migrain, probably from all the hammering and lifting stuff around. But this weekend I got really sickly, like flu syptoms, I keep thinking it's nothing really but then I think back and hmmm, maybe the welding got me sick, I was covered and well ventilated. :confused:

Certain types of metal can give off harmful or even very toxic fumes during the cutting/welding process. Fumes from galvanized metal are the most common "nasty" ones encountered in auto body work. Breathing normal welding fumes from two days of welding can very likely cause respiratory irritation and flu-like symptoms.

There is a respirator especially for welders to protect you from those fumes. Far too many people don't use them or even know they exist.

Hello! Well I got a hole 7 days on a lincoln MIG 125 model I think? I havent welded in a little while. But I cleaned all the gunk and any left over surface rust but all the goop on the underbody and near the tranny started to burn and fry and eventually made a little bon fire under my car, pretty scary business. Not to mention the affects of burning undercoating and road grime!! :eek:

You can't be too careful where your health is concerned.

A simple half faced HEPA filter worn under your helmet is all that is required to protect against normal welding fumes (along with sufficient ventilation) however as has been stated some metals give off toxic when heated. In some cases breathing air is even required.

http://www.specialmetalswelding.com/products/MSDS/na-b-2002.pdf

Coming from someone WHO HAS SUFFERED from welding fumes YOU NEED to get yourself checked out at the hospital.

Eventhou that metal is clean it STILL contains small amounts of galvanize, that can be ENOUGH to seriously affect you.

Trust me get your arse to the hospital and stop thinking about it. Tell them to check for ZINC OXIDE POISONING

I did the same thing, be careful. Welding for part of a day and started developing a nasty cough. I couldn't figure it out until I realized my friend had the same problem.

Next time I'll be wearing a respirator. Sometimes I can be an idiot I tell ya.

Seam sealers will also emit nasty noxious fumes if there close to the arc, get hot and smolder...avoid breathing that stuff for sure.

Yeah I seem better now, I called the advice nurse at Kaiser and she contacted poison control. I guess in the past it used to happen more with everyday welders I think she said it was called "monday fever" most welders would get sick during the week, then basically go back to work. I love welding, but everyday allday, thats amazing! And not possible for myself I just had out a wisdom tooth been a great week graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Also called welder's flu. Don't mess with your health. Use a quality respirator.

A simple half faced HEPA filter worn under your helmet is all that is required to protect against normal welding fumes (along with sufficient ventilation) however as has been stated some metals give off toxic when heated. In some cases breathing air is even required.Er, what? HEPA filters protect you from dust and particulate not FUMES. You need a carbon filter for that.

Dave