Welding Galvanized Steel Drinking Milk

The fumes released when welding cutting or brazing galvanized steel can cause a condition known as Metal Fume Fever. The milk doesnt work.

Can You Weld Galvanized Steel Welding Maniac

By scott harrison Date 04-19-2007 1829 We have done a lot of testing on welding through coatings everytime I etch them I get inclusions.

Welding galvanized steel drinking milk. You basically dip the steel item in molten zinc for a predetermined amount of time. He told me that all you have to do is drink some milk before or after welding on galvanized steel. The milk theory is that when a welder is exposed to zinc fumes produced by welding galvanized steel the calcium in the milk supposedly helps prevent the bodys absorption of the zinc.

You may also want to purchase a welding hood fit for welding galvanized steel. Galvanized steel goes through a plating process in which zinc is added to the exterior layer in order to reduce corrosion of the steel. The galvanization process is usually performed by hot-dipping.

Over the years Ive heard a lot of guys say just drink some milk. The thought is that milk helps the body rid of toxins encountered when welding galvanized steel and thus prevents them from getting sick. It might suppress the symptoms but thats about all.

Of course removing the zinc before welding will significantly reduce this concern. Shortly after galvanize poisoning sets in you will experience nausea and a headache. Some welders recommend drinking a glass of milk or taking a calcium supplement before welding galvanized steel.

No way is drinking milk going to protect your lungs. Mechanical or natural ventilation or an approved respirator and eye protection should be utilized when welding galvanized steel. There have been studies performed by the Centers for Disease Control CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA on the long-term effects of welding galvanized steel 1.

This does work to some degree but its obviously not a cure for severe exposure to zinc fumes. The process threw up fine whispy airborne threads of white zinc oxide which you couldnt help but inhale. At first sign of any of these symptoms you should immediately stop welding.

The milk theory is that when a welder is exposed to zinc fumes produced by welding galvanized steel the calcium in the milk supposedly helps prevent the bodys absorption of the zinc. Welders who have many years of experience also recommend drinking milk before during and after welding galvanized steel to lessen your risk of galvanize poisoning. According to Welders Source the idea is that milk will rid the body of toxins when welding galvanized steel thus prevents them from getting sick Some people even believe that holding milk in their mouth while welding will filter these toxic fumes.

This does work to some degree but its obviously not a cure for severe exposure to zinc fumes. Resources for Welding Galvanized Steel. The milk helps alleviate the discomfort but does not eliminate the toxic effects.

Topic American Welding Society Services Certifications Welding on Galvanized steel. Drinking milk can quicken the recovery process as calcium helps remove the zinc build-up from your body. The calcium can help counteract the zinc fumes you may accidentally ingest.

Drinking milk is not a substitute for taking precautions and being careful. Milk may even promote poisoning. Dont believe the stories about drinking milk before welding.

No studies have shown long-term health problems due to continued exposure to zinc oxide fumes or repeated cases of metal fume. Drinking milk can both reduce the risk of getting. In those days health and safety at work were a joke.

The intoxication caused by the vaporized zinc affects the stomach. The milk theory is that when a welder is exposed to zinc fumes produced by welding galvanized steel the calcium in the milk supposedly helps prevent the bodys absorption of the zinc. Always rely on a respirator or working in a well ventilated area in the best case scenario both.

My exposure was due to welding galvanized steel some 30 years ago. So why do welders drink milk. Milk is suspected to increase the absorption of toxic substances.

You may be familiar with the practice of drinking milk when welding on galvanized. The Health and Safety Executive HSE even warns explicitly on their website. Severe cases will align with symptoms of the flu like chills cold sweats vomiting fever and shaking.

It does not prevent you getting metal fume fever. He also said that welding shops and schools generally have milk on hand just for this purpose. Lots of milk drinking is a home remedy for thisbut by no means is a solution.

I was curious about welding on galvanized steel so I asked him about the affects and the symptoms of metal fume fever.

How To Weld Galvanized Steel Welding Answers

Milk Against Welding Fumes Not Much More Than An Old Wives Tale

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