Fumes from welding rods may cause severe injuries.

This is an ongoing investigation potential claims against the manufacturers of welding products, including welding rods, wires and electrodes, for damages caused by exposure to manganese fumes.

This potentially harmful exposure usually occurs during the process of steel-alloy welding and other steel melting activities. Welding fumes are the fumes that result from various welding operations. The primary components are oxides of the metals involved such as zinc, iron, chromium, aluminum, or nickel. Welding fumes typically have a metallic odor, and their specific composition varies considerably.

What are the dangers associated with Welding Rods?

A recent study conducted by researchers at Washington University at St. Louis suggests that industrial exposure to welding fumes may be associated with the early onset of Parkinson's disease. Welding rods, electrodes and wire contain numerous substances including manganese, copper, lead and cadmium, that release toxic fumes when used during welding. New evidence suggests that chronic exposure to welding fumes may cause a host of symptoms linked to or similar to Parkinson's disease. Symptoms of such a condition include; tremors, rigidity, abnormal or shuffling gait, lack of arm swing and loss of balance. If the conclusions drawn by these new studies can be substantiated, claims might be made against the manufacturers of welding rods, electrodes, and wire.