Health Risks Associated with Occupational Fumes and Smoke

Cutting metal or heating solder wire creates smoke that poses inhalation risks. How dangerous these contaminants are depends on the type of material employed. Many applications such as laser etching and soldering use hazardous metals such as lead, cadmium, zinc, copper and antimony.

Occupational fumes can irritate the nose, throat, eyes, mouth, skin and respiratory organs. Warning signs that a workers has been exposed to unhealthy levels include:

• Watery, Irritated Eyes
• Runny, Stuffy Nose
• Sore Throat
• Coughing, Wheezing
• Chest Tightness, Breathlessness

Prolonged exposure can cause a buildup of toxic metals in the body leading to conditions such as lead poisoning and kidney problems. Other potentially fatal diseases linked to occupational fumes include urinary tract cancer, lung cancer, respiratory disease and nervous system disorders.

Solutions for Controlling Fumes and Smoke

To protect worker health, businesses must find solutions to control dangerous fumes and smoke. Source capture systems like Quatro’s laser fume extractors and solder smoke fume extractors effectively contain these contaminants while air purifiers help improve overall indoor air quality (IAQ).