Welders have a substantially increased risk of developing lung cancer. These risks are further increased when welding is performed in enclosed spaces.
During the process of welding, the metal and its coating melt and release noxious fumes. These welding fumes may include toxic amounts of aluminum, borates, cadmium, iron, zinc, lead, chromium, nickel, manganese, and copper, as well as silicates, ozone, nitrogen peroxide, and carbon monoxide.
Inhalation of welding fumes can lead to lung disease and many types of cancer. The severity of symptoms generally depend on the amount of exposure and combination of elements in the fumes.
For more information on occupational lung disease and railroad welding, call a Doran and Murphy attorney at 1-800-374-2144, or contact us through email.
