What is being done about welding fumes

What is being done about manganese exposure causing manganism?

Researchers are still investigating the link between welding rod fumes and manganism. Welding rod litigation has now begun to help those who suffer the ill health effects of welding and manganese exposure.

Efforts are being made to reduce the risk of environmental manganese exposure. In 1994, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) denied a petition by Ethyl Corporation to allow the use of methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) in unleaded gasoline, because of health concerns related to the inhalation of manganese fumes (Davis, 1999).

Other environmental laws have been enacted to limit manganese exposure and welding fume toxicity. However, some scientists feel that more needs to be done about manganism and welding fumes. Researchers studying the health effects of welding fumes report a "preponderance of proof for manganese neurotoxicity" even in present-day industrial settings (Iregren 1999).

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration, Welding Fumes Sampling is required due to the "potential hazards of welding operations including metal fumes, toxic gases, and ultraviolet and infrared radiation. Fume particles are formed from vaporization of molten metal. They are very fine in size, generally one micron or smaller, and may join together to form larger particles. Welding fumes can be sampled by drawing air through a special filter at a controlled rate.