Not just a nuisance — a Group 1 carcinogen
Welding fume is now classified by the IARC as a Group 1 carcinogen — carcinogenic to humans — and WorkSafe lists it among the common workplace carcinogens. It is a mix of metal particles and gases that changes with the metal, the consumable and any coating. The key control is local exhaust ventilation capturing fume at the source, with the right respiratory protection as the last line, plus exposure and health monitoring for regular welders.
Welding fume is a complex mix of fine metal particles and gases. What is in it depends on the base metal, the consumable or flux, and any paint, coating or cleaner on the surface. The IARC has classified all welding fume as a Group 1 carcinogen, and WorkSafe lists it alongside asbestos, silica and diesel exhaust as a common workplace carcinogen.
Particular components carry their own risks — manganese in mild steel fume is linked to neurological effects, and hexavalent chromium in stainless steel fume is itself a carcinogen.
| Level | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Modify the process | Reduce the amount of welding, use lower-fume consumables, and prepare surfaces to remove coatings before welding. |
| Local exhaust ventilation | Capture fume at the source. LEV protects everyone in the workplace, not just the welder — but it is not effective outdoors. |
| Respiratory protection | The last line of control. It must be the right type, fit-tested and worn correctly, with the wearer clean-shaven (except for powered air-purifying respirators). See RPE. |
| Monitor | Air monitoring for the individual fume constituents — many have exposure standards well below 5 mg/m³ — and health monitoring for routine welders. |
LEV does not work well outdoors, so welders working outside should rely on suitable RPE. Welding in confined or poorly ventilated spaces concentrates fume and gases quickly and needs careful planning — see hot work & permit-to-work. Welding fume is a long-term health risk, so treat the controls as everyday practice, not an optional extra.
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Yes. The IARC has classified all welding fume as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it is carcinogenic to humans. WorkSafe lists it among the common workplace carcinogens alongside asbestos, silica and diesel exhaust.
A complex mix of fine metal particles and gases that varies with the base metal, the consumable or flux, and any coating on the surface. Components include manganese, which is linked to neurological effects, and hexavalent chromium, which is itself a carcinogen.
Modify the process where you can, then use local exhaust ventilation to capture fume at the source — it protects everyone in the workplace. Respiratory protection is the last line of control.
No. Local exhaust ventilation is not effective outdoors. Welders working outside should rely on suitable, correctly fitted respiratory protection instead.
Where workers are routinely exposed to welding fume, PCBUs should arrange regular health monitoring, along with air monitoring for the individual fume constituents, many of which have exposure standards well below 5 mg/m3.
