considering a welding career, need some advice

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Hi guys, ive been looking around for a career change and I narrowed it down to carpentry/masonry or welding, I was leaning toward welding until I started doing some research on the net. I started reading allot about fumes and different illnesses associated with welding fumes and im kinda freaked out right now. Ive always had sinus problems and bad allergies, and as a kid I had some asthma problems, so im wondering if im making a bad decision. I would love to hear from some experienced welders on the subject and if this is really something i should be concerned with or is it just a "worst case scenario" type of thing , like; when your working with a circular saw you could cut your hand off and when your welding you could inhale dangerous fumes and get Parkinson's disease. i appreciate any comments , thanks
Reply:Well you do have to use a bit of common sense when welding produces any kind of harmful fumes. I think today you'll find that most of the well equiped shops have respirators. In addition most larger shops have to comply with OSHA regulations. But then construction jobs do as well.What type of work have you done in the past? IE: Have you done any hobby welding or construction work?  If so what did you feel most comfortable doing? Today most folks do not have an option of chosing a field of employment unless in their early years. Once you get more established with family, debts, school, etc your options quickly deminish.If interested in welding I would see what type of training and employment opportunities exist in your area. I say this because you may have to be flexible in your choice and you may have to relocate to obtain your best chance of success.Whatever you choose I wish you the best of luck,TomCo-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:If allergies are a concern, you'll have a far tougher time with carpentry and sawdust than you will welding.After a lot of lawsuits, companies are extremely cautious about the use of hexavalent chromium in their consumables.  If you'll have a lot of exposure to it, you will have mandated equipment to keep the fumes away.  Its not a problem with most consumables, and even less of a problem with certain processes.  I have asthma and terrible allergies myself, and in the 4 years I did of hands-on welding and my exposure to it now on construction sites, I never had any issues whatsoever outside of the occasional black boogers after some HEAVY stick or flux core welding.  The occupational hazards are pretty similar to the other jobs you mentioned.  You're much, much more likely to have back and knee problems from bending, carrying, etc, than you are inhalation issues, regardless of which one you choose.