Posted By Ian Goddard I have currently been tasked with finding out the effects of welding steel, coated with zintec. We are a engineering firm and are looking at a possible new contract. The task I have been given is to find out any information on zintec and also to see if are current control measures are adequate. We already have a LEV system designed by the HSE, and the operators have air flow filter weld masks. can anyone possibly give me any more advice. Thank you Ian Goddard

Posted By Jane Blunt Google revealed zintec to be a zinc coating, applied electrolytically. Zinc can cause fume fever. The risk is generally controlled by either removing the zinc or by very good exhaust ventilation. There are other risks - if the steel is thin, so that the zinc forms a high proportion of the fume, you may finish up with a pyrophoric mixture in your exhaust filters. I have seen this happen in a factory that was welding zinc coated ducting. Jane