[Stoves] Metal fume Fever from Zinc

[Daniel Kretchmar]

Good Morning,
        I am blacksmith and welder. Metal fume fever from zinc is
still a hazard that can and does kill.  Before I knew about it, I
welded together a propane gas burner using galvanized pipe and gave
myself a large dose of zinc poisoning.   The "flu" lasted about a week
and was similar to a recent bout of pneumonia. I have since tried all
the safety precautions using venting, fans behind you, rebreathers,
etc and no matter what I have tried, I always got exposed and wound up
in bed and/or hospital.  I won't go near the stuff anymore, no matter
what I am offered to make a repair.
   A few years back, Jim Wilson, a very well known blacksmith in the
United States, got exposed while welding some galavanized pipe.  He
had the sense to send his apprentices out of the shop before he did
the welding, but for some reason, felt that a "little" zinc would not
hurt him.  He died two weeks later of complications brought on by
Metal Flume Fever.

A safety letter, "written" for/by Jim posthoumously can be found at
http://www.anvilfire.com/iForge/tutor/safety3/index.htm

I use blackpipe in all my gas lines and in any application where the
pipe is going to get hot.  Even just oven heat is enough to gas off
little bits of zinc.  Since blackpipe is available in the same sizes
and fittings, why take the chance?!?  Steer away from the stuff!

Daniel Kretchmar
www.irontreeworks.com



>
> 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!
>
>
>
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