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Posted By Kevin Kelly
Hi All,
Has anybody come across a condition known as Galvo Flu? It seems to be a trade name for over exposure to fumes from welding galvanised materials. A collegue of mine has come across a relatively young welder who complains a lot of this condition the symptoms include sweats, shakes, headaches all the regular flu symptoms but it usually clears within 24-48 hours. I'd imagine the long term effects on the respiratory system would be of far greater significance.
This lad is working in a small engineering workshop where ventillation and extraction wouldn't be heard of. I know in this day in age and all that but these places do still exist.
If anybody out there has any info on this or has come across it before I would be very interested in it.
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Posted By Flic
It sounds like metal fume fever. Many metals, inhaled as welding fume, can give rise to this condition.
Zinc is probably the commonest. It is not particularly toxic.
It is a good idea to have extraction to prevent this malady. However, do watch out for fire - the zinc fume that finishes up in your extraction system can be pyrophoric.
Copper and cadmium fume can also lead to metal fume fever; the latter can be fatal.
Flic
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Posted By martinw Kevin one of my colleagues in a former life - twenty years ago - was a welder and told me about this. I had never heard of it since. I found a welding forum where some old hands are discussing it. May prove interesting. http://www.ukwelder.com/.../index.php?showtopic=629cheers Martin
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Posted By Ron Hunter
Search under "zinc fever".
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Posted By Kevin Brown
Exposure to welding fumes is associated with a number of occupational diseases, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, chronic bronchitis, ‘fume fever’ and on rare occasions asthma.
Check out the HSE website for case notes and details of enforcement notices.
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Posted By John Richards Chronic bronchitis is one of the pulmonary diseases under the heading of Congestive-Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Metal fume fever usually disappears in a few hours once the worker is removed from exposure. However, questions should be asked if the welder welds stainless steels, or high-chromium metals: welding those would need effective rpe to avoid later-life problems such as cancer. The company involved has obviously got no safety policy worth mentioning and has never heard of adequate ventilation. One also wonders about whether they have had any sort of fume test done. Even mild steel welding with manual metal arc, without ventilation, can lead to the welder being over-exposed to manganese. Nice reading: http://www.lamblawoffice...welding-information.html
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Posted By Kevin Kelly
Thnaks for the responses lads, unfortunately the work computer has an extremely sensitive filter that doesnt really allow for much web browsing hence asking here for assistance.
The company involved is a small back street operation with zero thoughts towards safety, like I said earlier these places unfortunately still exist.
From what I gather the flu like symptoms are caused by an overdose of zinc which the body flushes out quiet quickly, note the flu clearing up within 2 days. However my main concern would surround the possible presence of cadmium among other heavy metals.
Time I think to pass this to somebody with more expertise, thanks again for the help.
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Posted By Owen Tudor
Kevin
Before I came into the safety world I was a Pipefitter for over 20 years and Galvo Flu is well known. It can be caused when welding or flame cutting galvanized steel.
When carrying out these operations, extraction and RPE should be provided, the hazard can be avoided by removing the Galvanising from the weld area with a grinder but this area must be ground down to clean metal, uaually the Pipeys job. The area around the weld area can then be protected with Galvanising paint.
Hope this helps
Owen
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