Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

-----

Hazards of welding galvanized pipe

I would like to know the specific health hazards or what does it do specifically to the body, From welding galvanized pipe?

Rob Smith
- Red Bluff, California
2002

---

Issues associated with galvanized steel welding are covered below in topic 16433: "My husband is really sick". This may help you.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2002

---

Hi, Rob. The high temperature of welding vaporizes the zinc coating. We have about a dozen threads about the safety/danger of welding galvanized items. There is no doubt at all that inhaling the fumes from welding galvanized materials will cause "metal fume fever", a flu-like condition. Most people believe that there are no long term issues, but other people are concerned that there may be. In any case, to repeatedly do something that gives you flu symptoms would be foolish.

Your inquiry is a little unclear in that you haven't described your situation yet. Because, although I hate to be trite and picky, there is no health effects at all in welding this stuff if you are not inhaling the fumes. You need excellent ventilation and perhaps a positive pressure welding hood to avoid inhaling the fumes. Good luck with it.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
August 11, 2008