Health Concerns in Working with Metals

Metalworking can be use for art, hobby or trade. Many jobs required employees to work with metals in order to create jewelry, parts, assemblies, and large structures, such as ships and bridges. An important thing to know about working with metals is that these can seriously affect your health. Exposing yourself to certain metals in large amounts can be toxic to your body. Metals can build up in your system, and become hazardous. The following are eight most common toxic metals that you should watch out for.

Cadmium

Cadmium is a toxic metal used in industrial workplaces where ore has been smelted. Welders have died from exposure to cadmium-containing alloys, so stay away from these workplaces.

Led

Led can be found at high levels in industries, such as smelter operations, construction work, firing ranges, and radiator shops. If you work in construction, or in any of these industries, your health can be in danger.

Arsenic

Metalworking can be a dangerous occupation, especially if you're exposed to arsenic. Arsenic is an extremely toxic metal. It can be found in high levels where there are high amounts of water, soil and rocks. Arsenic can also be found where there are huge amounts of waste. You can easily die if you're exposed to any of these areas.

Mercury

Mercury is a toxic metal found in production, mining of gold and silver ores. You can have kidney and permanent nervous system damage if you're exposed to this metal.

Beryllium

Exposure to beryllium occurs in extraction, processing and mining. You can get skin and lung disease by working with this metal, so be careful.

Hexavalent Chromium

If you're exposed to hexavalent chromium, you can get lung cancer. Chromate is most commonly found in industries that manufacture pigments and produce chromate.

Nickel

You can see this metal on nickel platted earrings and wrist watches. Nickel can cause serious harm on your skin, such as irritation, itching, rash and inflammation.

Thallium

Thallium is a bluish-white metal that is odorless and tasteless. You can find thallium in combination with other substances, such as chlorine, iodine and fluorine. Thallium can contaminate the air, soil and water through smelting and coal-burning. You can also find thallium in plants, fish, smoking cigarettes and waste sites. Exposure to thallium in large amounts can cause you nervous system effects and hair loss. It can also damage your heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.

Working with metals shouldn't be taken lightly. If you've been exposed to any of these metals, see your primary doctor, and have regular check-ups.

Sources:

http://metals.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/metalsheavy/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metalworking

http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/Dermatitis-nickel-on-the-sole.htm

http://www.medicinenet.com/thallium/page2.htm

http://www.medicinenet.com/thallium/article.htm