Asbestos exposure has been a significant concern for certain occupational groups, including welders, in the past. Welders may face potential exposure to asbestos in several ways:
Asbestos-containing welding rods: In the past, welding rods and other welding materials sometimes contained asbestos. When welders used these materials, asbestos fibers could be released into the air, and inhalation of these fibers posed health risks.
Asbestos insulation in welding equipment: Older welding equipment might have contained asbestos insulation, which could release fibers when the equipment was heated during welding operations.
Worksite contamination: Welders working in industrial settings or construction sites might encounter asbestos-containing materials used in insulation, fireproofing, or other applications. Disturbing or working around these materials could release asbestos fibers into the air.
Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to various lung diseases, including asbestosis (scarring of lung tissue due to asbestos fibers), lung cancer, and mesothelioma (a rare cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart). Asbestos-related diseases often have a long latency period, meaning symptoms may not appear until many years after the initial exposure.