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Sick from grinding and welding hard chrome

I was wanting to know if grinding and welding on stainless steel surfaces that have been hard chromed is harmful to lungs? I recently did this for the first time and 2 days later I had chest wall inflamation and could hardly breathe.. And I was not even sick with anything else... Thanks...

William Kish Jr
Welder - Lashmeet, West Virginia, USA
2005

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First of two simultaneous responses --

Yes, absolutely, particularly welding such material. Hexavalent chromium is found in the fume from such operations. You should be using an air purifying respirator while doing work like this.

Dave Wichern
Consultant - The Bronx, New York
2005

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

Any thing is possible. Never ceases to amaze me about the people that weld without proper exhaust/ventillation. Inhaling ANY vaporized metal is bad for you and some is a lot worse than others.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2005