{"id":82,"date":"2011-07-20T21:29:00","date_gmt":"2011-07-20T21:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sentryair.com\/blog\/?p=82"},"modified":"2020-06-17T17:38:32","modified_gmt":"2020-06-17T17:38:32","slug":"metal-fume-fever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sentryair.com\/blog\/industry-applications\/welding\/metal-fume-fever\/","title":{"rendered":"Metal Fume Fever"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Welding<\/a><\/div>\n

Welder\u2019s ague, zinc shakes, Monday fever, brass founders\u2019 ague, and smelter chills are just a few of the names that metal fume fever has been referred to over the years [it was first documented in the mid-1800s]. [1]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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This occupational illness is typically seen in workers that weld, cut or heat metal materials; specifically zinc. When zinc-coated metal [i.e. galvanized steel] is heated up, it can release zinc oxide fumes, which can be inhaled by the welder if respiratory precautions are not taken. Although zinc is cited most frequently in conjunction with this illness, there are other metals that have been documented as inducing metal fume fever symptoms [ex. copper, manganese, chromium, arsenic, magnesium, nickel, titanium, boron]. [1]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The graph below, from the Metal Fume Fever: A Review of the Literature and Cases Reported to the Louisiana Poison Control Center, <\/i><\/b>shows (A) the most commonly reported occupation and (B) Medical Treatment sought for 26 cases of metal fume fever over a two year period reported to the Louisiana Poison Control Center. [1]<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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What are the symptoms?<\/span><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

Symptoms of metal fume fever generally mimic flu-like symptoms. They are cited as occurring within approximately<\/i> 3-10 hours after inhaling fumes. A report published by The Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society<\/i> cites the following symptoms:<\/span><\/div>\n