Canadian Occupational Safety

A s a welder, you're trained to know exactly what to do to keep yourself safe from heat and sparks. But what about the microscopic and potentially toxic airborne elements that cling to your lungs with time? Perhaps you already know there are potential risks in inhaling welding fumes – but do you truly know what toxic elements you're up against? We do. That's why we've spent decades keeping you informed on potential risks and improving respiratory protection products that keep your lungs out of harm's way. For welders, two of the elements that can pose a serious threat are: Manganese and Hexavalent Chromium. Here's an overview of what you need to know in order to help minimize risk. What is Manganese? Manganese is a very common metal found in over 250 natural minerals. It's present most often in steel, welding rods and filler metals; where it promotes hardness and durability. But don't mistake natural for harmless. When manganese is heated and reacts to oxygen in the air, it forms dangerous oxide fumes that show up as a very fine powder, dust or fume and can quietly attack your lungs and affect them for years to come. How could it affect me? Dangerous levels of exposure to Manganese have been linked most importantly to Manganism, a disease with symptoms similar to Parkinson's that can result in weakness, lethargy, tremors and even paralysis. Magnification of Manganese Manganese is also what we call an ototoxic agent, which means it can be equally harmful to your hearing when inhaled in significant doses. When am I at risk? Manganese has a good chance of showing up any time you cut, weld, grind or polish metal. Different government entities have permissible acceptable exposure levels that vary from province to province, but long-term exposure to any level of Manganese could eventually take its toll. That's why we'll always encourage you to be safe. What is Hexavalent Chromium? Hexavalent Chromium is an element that's naturally found in the Earth's crust. Though it's riskiest in a welding context, it can also be found as an anti-corrosive agent in a myriad of dyes, paints, plastics and more. Hexavalent Chromium becomes most harmful when exposed to high temperatures, at which point it can form a dangerous dust, mist or fume that can easily be unknowingly inhaled. How could it affect me? Studies have found an important correlation between Hexavalent Chromium exposure and lung cancer. When in prolonged contact with your skin, it can also cause irritation, ulcers and allergic reactions. When am I at risk? Airborne Hexavalent Chromium is usually present whenever you're welding stainless steel. You may also be at risk when you're spray painting, sanding, grinding or abrasive blasting. As with Manganese, individual provinces have different exposure limit regulations by which every working environment and site legally needs to abide. Long-term contact with lower doses can still have negative impacts on your lungs and overall health. What can I do to protect myself? •Stay informed Talk to your employer about the legal limits within your province and what's being done on-site to ensure proper ventilation and acceptable exposure levels. New information and data are constantly being published about the potential impacts of these harmful elements and the different ways in which you can keep yourself safe – so make sure you're up-to-date on the latest news. •Get the equipment you need From low-exposure disposable respiratory protection products to heavy-duty battery-operated respiratory helmets, 3M has a range of protective gear that will help keep your lungs safe. We use advanced electrostatic media filters that let in clean air while capturing harmful particulate, dust or fumes. Take a look at our entire line of respiratory protection products to see which suits your environment best. You can also get in touch with one of our respiratory experts for personalized guidance on the kind of respiratory protection you need. Because at the end of the day, our job is to simplify yours and let you focus on what matters most – your craft, your health and your family. Did you know? Since 2013, the officially accepted levels of safe exposure to manganese - called Threshold Limit Values – have dropped significantly. In fact, after considering studies that revealed important risks even at low exposure levels, The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommended a 10-fold reduction that's since been accepted by many states and provinces across the continent. Sponsored by Beyond the sparks and flame Helping keep your lungs safe from Manganese and Hexavalent Chromium 104,000 Workers (Est.) | Hexavalent Chromium Exposure in Canada Five Largest Exposure Groups By Industry Proportion of Industry Exposed Automotive repair and maintenance 11,000 6% Printing and support activities 9,500 10% Sawmills and wood preservation 5,900 9% Commercial & indus- trial machinery repair 5,300 9% Architectural and structural metals manufacturing 4,800 7% 3M is a trademark of 3M Company. Used under license in Canada. © 2016, 3M. All rights reserved. Magnification of Manganese Protecting you from what you can't see. See how we can help protect you from asbestos, silica, mould and manganese. 3M.ca/NotSeen Where you see sparks, melting metal and fumes, you face a threat that's more dangerous than anything that meets the eye. It's called manganese. 3M helps keep you safe by applying advanced electrostatic media to respiratory protection solutions. All so you can stay focused on your craft. 3M.ca/NotSeen

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