Asbestos in Welding Rods
If you're concerned that asbestos in welding rods could cause asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, then keep reading.
What are welding rods?
The dangers of the welding profession go well beyond burns and eye injuries. There are far more dangerous elements of the profession, but they are almost invisible and can take many years or decades to become apparent. Welding rods have been used since the 1930s for adding extra material during welding projects and for conducting a current in order to fuse materials together. Depending on the job, welding rods can contain aluminum, vanadium, chrome, bronze, cast-iron, manganese, steel, nickel-steel, chrome, or copper. Unfortunately, another common material once used in welding rods was asbestos. For much of the last century, welding rods contained high levels of amphibole, or blue asbestos, known for its ability to resist electrical current. High heat could release the asbestos fibers into the air, where they could be easily inhaled. Once they become embedded in the lung and stomach linings, asbestos fibers are almost impossible for the body to remove. Many years or decades after exposure to asbestos, victims can develop many serious illnesses, including mesothelioma cancer.
Many companies knew for years that the asbestos contained in their welding rods was dangerous to welders, but they never made this knowledge public. If you have been exposed to asbestos welding rods, you may be at risk for developing an asbestos related disease including mesothelioma. While welding rods are no longer made with asbestos, they can still emit harmful fumes, including nitrogen dioxide, manganese, ozone, and fluorides.
If you are a professional or amateur welder, you can minimize your exposure to dangerous chemicals by welding in a well-ventilated area and wearing proper protective gear.
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Exposed to asbestos? Contact a mesothelioma lawyer today
If you had a job where you manufactured, installed, or simply used asbestos and have developed mesothelioma as a result, mesothelioma law is there to protect you. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease from workplace or home exposure to asbestos, contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer immediately. Mesothelioma attorneys have helped thousands of mesothelioma patients win compensation for lost wages and medical costs
.