[Stoves] Metal fume Fever from Zinc

[Erich Heinzle]

Metal fume fever from zinc is definitely not a folk tale.

Metal fume fever is a well recognised clinical entity and is characterised
by
the onset of fever, tremors, eye irritation, aches and sometimes a metallic
taste in the mouth, usually late in the evening after a day of welding.

Symptoms subside after a few days of ongoing exposure but recur with
re-exposure after time away from the exposure, such as returning to work
on a Monday.

Zinc is the metal most commonly associated with metal fume fever, liberated
during the welding of galvanised metal in work areas with poor ventilation.

As stated below, any zinc present would most likely be liberated during the
first firing. Zinc melts at 420C and boils at 907C.

Adequate fume extraction or ventilation is the best prevention.

Welding fumes in general increase your risk of immunological, neurological
and respiratory complications, including lung cancer, and have many
constituents, including elemental and reactive species.

This is a nice potted summary: http://www.jespear.com/Welding.pdf

Of potentially more interest and concern to stovers is that researchers have
of late concluded that carbon nanotubes produce lung changes similar to
that seen with asbestos, and that buckyballs, or buckminsterfullerene,
can cross cell membranes quite easily. This is a field of research to watch,
since even candle soot has buckyballs in it, and biomass stovers may be
exposing themselves to similar compounds.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527091910.htm

Particulate carbon in the sub 10  micron size range is already a topic
of research with regards to public health effects:

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1314915

On the other hand, your risk of death drinking unboiled water or
improperly cooked meat in the third world isn't going to be insignificant...

!

Erich Heinzle.

> I think this is an American folk tale that dates back to the time when
> cyanide was used in the zinc plating process, something that has not been
> around for decades.
>
> If someone has more concrete info on the subject, please divulge it as it
> has been an issue in standard setting for stoves in South Africa.


>
> I've had "welders Flue" when I was  young guy wielding in my dad's
> garage.... woke-up middle of the nite, couldn't breath.  No fun.


> I would not worry about using some galvanized materials in a stoves
> construction, the risk is way over blown in my opinion. If you use
> galvanized metal for an outer shell you should be OK and if you use
> galvanized material for a burner it will burn off the first time you use
it.
>
> Zinc fumes are easy to avoid since they have a distinct smell.
>
> You do not want to use galvanize in direct contact with food though,
because
> you will get a nasty metallic taste.
>
> When lead was used to make large spangles there was a risk since lead
stays
> in your system.
>
> Zinc oxide is used in everything from foot powder to deodorant and
> multivitamins.
>
> I have had "welders flue" and it is no fun.
>
> I am hypersensitive to welding fumes of any kind, even from stainless so I
> have learned to avoid them by using proper ventilation.
>
> I am also hypersensitive to CO, one whiff and I have a headache. I don't
> need a stinking meter, My head is a CO detector!