Or just coincidence? Did a bit of concentrated welding on Sunday, By that evening I had a bad head cold. I wasnt wearing a respirator ( I usually do). Mig with gas. Any one ever experience this or am I over reacting?
if i weld for along time without "protection" i usually blow black shit out of my head for the rest of the next day, snot rockets in the shower usually clear me up... just dont miss...
Stand back and watch all the smoke and crap that's in the air when someone welds. just go back to wearing the respirator. For those that don't wear one...it's your life.
Use Vicks Vapo-Rub as an anti-spatter dip. It works great (no joke) and just might help your cold symptoms!
I'm in the medical oxygen business. We make a living off of old welders. Most of them smoked too. Lots of toxins. Most of them die alot younger than non welders. I'm not trying to scare you. It's a fact.
that and extreme headaches used to happen to me in welding class. found out it is fumes from welding caused from no respirator and poor ventilation. there was a post one of the hambers posted about welding and i believe it was directed towards the fact that mig welding was worse that arc welding and others posted some scary shit about breathing welding fumes in.
Which respirator fits under my welding helmet? I still haven't found one that will work. 3M "autobody" respirator? Pics?
http://store.cyberweld.com/3mpare82n95.html These are what I normally use,but they only work if they are on your face. I hope my discomfort helps someone else!
Hey scott, how tight do these seal? I have been using a more normal type heavy dust mask (by taping it to my face, I don't weld too often, but I usually weld alot when I do). These look beter as I haven't broken down and bought a shield with the mask built in (I forget who makes them, but your welding supply store should have them in the catalog).
definetly wear a resperator..its your lungs were talking about! If you knew all that you were breathing while sucking on those welding fumes, and if you cared!, you would be wearing something. Ive watched a few old welders slowly die due to lung and breathing problems..its just not worth it, to not use some method of cleaning the air you breath. buy what ever you can to minimise the exposure.
I have a beard, so I dont suppose I get a perfect seal. However it feels ok as the mask moves in and out as I breath. The straps are very heavy duty, so you can pull them tight without breaking them. They work for me as I havent had any symptoms when I use them. I also use them when grinding.
i put a small computer fan on the inside of my welding lid, it blows the air down passed my nose and mouth, therefore blowing the smoke away from my face, works pretty damn good, can barely even smell it.
Ozone may be formed from O<SUB>2</SUB> by electrical discharges and by action of high energy electromagnetic radiation. Certain electrical equipment generate significant levels of ozone. This is especially true of devices using high voltages I believe welding produces Ozone, through reation of oxygen to the electrical arc of the welder. Ozone is a know repsiratory irritant. It is probably the major cause of you cold like symptoms lung congestion, sneezing, wheezing, runny nose and eyes. So a respireator may not be enough, good ventilation is key. Set up a fan to blow the stuff away from you and out side if you can.
Thanks....I called my supplies guy and they are coming this morning! I will try them and let you know my thoughts.
" <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by povertyflats I'm in the medical oxygen business. We make a living off of old welders. Most of them smoked too. Lots of toxins. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> "Dang Paul, I knew we could party well together. I am an ex welder and heavy smoker. Can you hook me up with some nitrousoxide, lol. Hell I want to go happy" You gotta do one or the other man, Not both (weld and smoke). I used to do both. Then I chewed tobacco, then I quit altogether. At least if you chew you cut down on your smoke inhalation. I hope I quit smoking in time. I hope you quit soon too. Back on topic, Just because you don't see the smoke while you are welding doesn't mean it's not there. Wear a respirator, period. I spent way too long grinding paint and welding in the shipyard. That is all heavy metal laden bad stuff on ships. Man I was stupid. My fish don't swim either, I wonder how much that shit had to do with it. <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
Were you welding galvanized? If so that can make you very sick, the symptoms are described as flu-like. Basically it's heavy metal poisoning. They say to drink lots of milk to shake it off. Best bet is wear a good respirator next time or strip the galvanizing off first. Ron
X2 on the galvanizing question. First thing I thought of when I saw the thread title. Stuff can kill you - doesn't take much, either. -bill
check out the half face 3m respirator, i think cartridge is p100, pinkish color soft filters it all fits under your shield. i am a cert. welder and although im not always welding, sometimes i do nothing but weld, i always try to wear a respirator, sometimes use a fan too. if you want to really scare yourself read the msds on the welding wire. im not sure which process is the worst, i think flux core but they all have some bad shit, not to mention the material you are welding on, who knows what its got on it and in it.
HMmm.... I have a beard too and have been thinking that if I just wet my beard before puting the mask on that maybe that would help. Also thought of puting pomade in it to help out as well. Hey! This could be good for tech week for us guys with beards that do alot of welding!
Would taking some of those zinc tablets that are supposed to prevent colds, before welding galivanized work????
Nope. Galvanizing is POISON. If you find out that you have accidentally been welding it, drink a ton of milk and talk to your doctor.
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