Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Zinc exposure
My husband is exposed to galvanized welding fumes almost daily. His urine zinc levels are elevated and went up 6 months later even after using increased ventilation and a respirator. His blood levels are normal and the dr. figures his body is eliminating it from his system. Can anyone give me information on long term effects of zinc exposure, not just the flume fever, but also elevated levels. or tell me who to contact.
Any info on the subject would be appreciated.
- Bismarck, North Dakota
Contact OSHA. He should not be exposed to fumes like this at work. Firstly, the fume extraction should work. Secondly, the respirator should work. Employers pay only for their employees' time spent on the job and have absolutely no right to expect employees to put up with health problems on their off hours brought on by the job.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
My father welded with galvanized steel years ago before the risks were clearly understood. By his mid thirties he began losing his hair in clumps. By forty is was completely hairless (no eyelashes, eyebrows either). Toxicologists now know exposure to zinc can cause alopecia totalis.
Diane Barletta- Groton, Massachusetts
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