Welding rods, used to fuse metal together in the welding process, have been found to release toxic levels of several chemical elements into the air when heated. These chemicals, in the form of fumes and dust, can have serious side effects. The largest number of welding rods side effects are from toxic levels of the chemical element manganese, but adverse side effects have resulted from exposure to chromium and nickel as well.
Suffered harm from Welding Rod exposure? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights.
Toxic exposure to fumes and dust from welding rods happens most often in the workplace where safe levels are determined by OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration). For OSHA limits on manganese levels and the dangers of manganese
Exposure, see the publication of the National Safety Council. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) controls the levels of manganese found in bottled water, but is not involved in occupational safety.
The first record of a link between manganese exposure and the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease was published in 1837, and the link was fairly well-known by the 1950s. In spite of this, manufacturers of welding rods and other welding materials did not begin including a welding rods warning on the product labels until around 1967. Even then the warning did not convey the real seriousness of the welding rods risk. A sample warning states:
CAUTION: Welding may produce fumes and gases hazardous to health. Avoid breathing these fumes and gases. Use adequate ventilation. Use USA standard Z49.1. "Safety in Welding and Cutting" Published by the American Welding Society
These warnings have often been placed on the bottom of packages where they weren’t likely to be seen. See Welding Rods Lawsuits, Litigation, and Lawyers – What You Should Know for legal decisions concerning welding rod warnings.
Manufacturers are required by law to produce material safety data sheets (MSDS) for products used in the workplace, and workers have a legal right to see them for any materials the workers are using. Click here for a sample welding rod MSDS.
Check out the following articles for more information about Welding rods, filing a Welding rods lawsuit and finding a Welding rods attorney.
Suffered harm from Welding Rod exposure? You may have a lawsuit. Click here, for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights. | 
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