Metal Fume Fever Sec.4

SUMMARY
Here are the main points when dealing with galvanized metal:
• Metal Fume Fever is the result ofoverexposure to zinc fumes from welding, cutting,
or brazing on galvanized steel.
• Metal Fume Fever is a short–term illness with classic flu–like symptoms.
• The permissible exposure limit (PEL)according to OSHA is 5 milligrams of zinc
oxide fume per cubic meter of air––always monitor and measure your breathing air.
• To avoid the illness, keep your head out of the fumes and do not breathe the fumes.
Use enough proper ventilation and/or exhaust. If uncertain about the ventilation,
use an approved respirator.
• There are no known long–term effects of this disease.

INFORMATION SOURCES

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Criteria for a Recommended Standard – Occupational Exposure to Zinc Oxide, DHEW, NIOSH Publication No.76–104; NTIS Publication No. PB–246–693,available from National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road,Springfield, VA 22161.

American Welding Society (AWS) Study.Fumes and Gases in the Welding Environment,
available from American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL33136
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists publication, Threshold
Fact Sheet No. 25 – 1/02 Page 3 Limit Values (TLV) for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents in the Workroom Environment, available from American Conference
of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), 1330 Kemper Meadow Drive,Cincinnati, OH 45240.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA). Code Of Federal Regulations,
Title 29 Labor, Chapter XVII, Parts 1901.1 to 1910.1450, Order No.869–019–00111–5, available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh,PA 15250.

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Documentation of the
Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices, available from American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), 1330 Kemper Meadow
Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45240.

The following references include the specific precautionary methods used to
protect against exposure to fumes and gases:

American National Standards Institute(ANSI). Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied
Processes, Z49.1, available from American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road,
Miami, FL 33136.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Safety and Health in
Arc Welding and Gas Welding and Cutting,NIOSH Publication No. 78–138, available
from National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Robt. Taft Labs, 4676
Columbia Pkwy, Cincinnati, OH 45226.

American National Standards Institute(ANSI). Method for Sampling Airborne
Particulates Generated by Welding and Allied Processes, F1.1, available from
American Welding Society, 550 N.W. Le-Jeune Road, Miami, FL 33136.