MetFab - Welding Fume Handbook - Flipbook - Page 7
2 Particulate fume
Consumable type
Maximum allowable fume
concentration (mg/m³)
Mild and low alloy steel
5
Aluminium alloys
5
Magnesium alloys
5
Titanium alloys
5
Stainless steel (MMA, FCAW)
1-4
Stainless steel (MAG)
4
Nickel alloys
1
Copper alloys
0.3
Cobalt alloys
0.1
Table 1: Maximum allowable fume concentrations for common
metal types calculated using the marker compound approach
When surface coatings such as zinc (galvanising) or paint
are heated during welding operations, they can produce gases
and fume whose composition is not always apparent from
the MSDS for the coating in question. If in doubt, remove the
coating before welding.
2.2 Health effects
The particles in fume are small enough to be suspended in
the air for a long time. They can be inhaled and penetrate
into the innermost areas of the lungs - alveoli. Over time, the
particles may even dissolve into the bloodstream.
The potential health hazards from breathing particulate
fume are:
Alveoli
Figure 3: Particles entering the lungs
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