TIG FUMES and Aluminum

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I rely on youtube videos for welding instruction out of necessity since there are no welding trade schools within my reach in this area.Question: Videos welding aluminum with TIG do not have any ventilation that I can see.  Even though you cannot see aerosolized aluminum or tungsten in the air, I cannot imagine this metal vapor not being present to some degree and cannot be good for you.What do trade welders do and what should hobbyist welders do? I use a low profile 3m respirator with a 2097 cartridge but not crazy about wearing it if I dont have to with TIG. Thanks in advance
Reply:Many career welders live a long time.  Same with solvents in mechanic trades. None of that stuff is good but some minor exposure is different than a head in a plume all day.  2 or 3 cigs a day wouldnt hurt most people, 2 packs a different matter.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:I wear my 3M respirator with 2297 filters even when I come to the computer to post on WeldingWeb



1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig!



Reply:

Originally Posted by Oscar

I wear my 3M respirator with 2297 filters even when I come to the computer to post on WeldingWeb


Reply:Googling all pointed to sensible directives when welding anything that puts metal vapor into the air we breathe. I thought I would just ask people who do this every day to make a living. Thanks for your reaponses.
Reply:I would think stick and mig would be way worse than tig. No turbulence with tig welding that has the potential to throw stuff out.Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
Reply:I think you know the answer to your question. Ultimately it's up to you, how much exposure you're willing to subject yourself to. Everything in life is additive, it's not just the welding fumes but the grinding dust and all the smoke generated from cutting oils, solvent use, paint......
Reply:My approach is "if you can smell it, you probably shouldn't be".Tweco Fabricator 211iSieg X2 AMT radial arm drill pressAMT belt/disk sanderHF 4X6 bandsaw
Reply:This…got tired of headaches…which was telling me to fix that problem fast.


Reply:

Originally Posted by jrporter

My approach is "if you can smell it, you probably shouldn't be".
Reply:

Originally Posted by Tarmstrong

This…got tired of headaches…which was telling me to fix that problem fast.


Reply:If you are experienced, and not dipping your tungsten every 5 minutes into aluminum, the primary fume is ozone. In fact there are disposable mask respirators for with carbon filter media for welding to neutralize the ozone.That is if your alum is relatively clean to begin with. Same goes for cast alum.  3M 8214 is a good cheap one but it is N95 which is good for general welding but not for stainless Hex 6 fumes. For hex 6 fumes you want a N100 or P100 but I have not seen any with ozone mitigation. Otherwise the ozone can cause a throat and lung irritation but is temporary. The ozone is created in the presence of argon and the AC arc I presume.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR"

MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Ozone is created by the presence of an arc in air.  It is a form of oxygen (O3).  You can smell a little of it if you are right near a laser printer or photocopier that is printing too. I don't really know that TIG welding will create much ozone as the arc is all within the Argon, or should be. I can't say I ever smell it when TIG welding and I know what it smells like.I always use a respirator when MIG or stick welding but I really never do when TIG welding as it is such a clean process.  There are certainly some metal fumes generated but nothing like the other 2 processes. Only TIG SS and plain steel so far - no alum. Of course I am just hobbyist too, not production. If you want to be safe, feel free to do it. It certainly won't hurt you. I mostly either TIG or MIG these days and MIG without a respirator will make me feel sick in no time. Never had the issue with TIG. Not saying I am right, just my experience.-DaveXMT304 with: 22A Feeder, or HF251 Hi Freq DC TIG air cooled
Reply:

Originally Posted by vdotmatrix

Wow! If I did this for a living, there is NO expense too great. That is one expensive rig….but metal vapors are very bad and have a cumulative effect…Aluminum concentrates in the brain….link to alzeimers and Aluminum….. I really wanted to see how folks in the industry approached this hazard… I suppose employers woukd follow osha guidelines and so on….   Be safe!
Reply:

Originally Posted by shovelon

If you are experienced, and not dipping your tungsten every 5 minutes into aluminum, the primary fume is ozone. In fact there are disposable mask respirators for with carbon filter media for welding to neutralize the ozone.That is if your alum is relatively clean to begin with. Same goes for cast alum.  3M 8214 is a good cheap one but it is N95 which is good for general welding but not for stainless Hex 6 fumes. For hex 6 fumes you want a N100 or P100 but I have not seen any with ozone mitigation. Otherwise the ozone can cause a throat and lung irritation but is temporary. The ozone is created in the presence of argon and the AC arc I presume.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Tarmstrong

I am a weekend welding warrior.  But, I have learned a few thing on this earth….you get ONE SET of eyes, lungs, ears, balls and ONE brain.  I use that one brain to protect those other things!  Money comes and goes…and I decided that the best for my safety is just not really that expensive.  Good luck OP….
Reply:Yes the 3M 2097/2297 cartridges are a good choice for both your hobbies. Just remember these are meant for nuisance level relief with organic acids, metals, and even ozone. Being outdoors or in a large garage with a window or door open reduces the concentration to nuisance levels. Its a good idea to always read you instructions, a great deal of info is printed really small on that piece of paper. 3M website is a little cryptic when trying to find info. If you aren't mig welding stainless, or tig welding stainless above 150 amps, I think your choice of respirators is fine.Here's info for the 2297  :        https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/...p-100-2297.pdfThe important part  :

If you were handling the acids all day in confined spaces, a different cartridge would probably be a better selection. Here's a poster with everything in on page  :       https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/...ion-poster.pdfIts a good idea to check you mask before each use, you should know how. Important to store properly , so you don't deform the valve when storing. Lots of guys where I work jam them into the bottom of their locker, and the facepiece/valve is deformed. When they go to use them, the valve doesn't work. We buy them by the dozen, so we just throw the bad ones out. Where I work, we mix Tons of Caffeine into drink blends for beverages. You don't want to find out that your valve is bad after your in the work space. By the time you can taste it (very bitter) you've already ingested enough to feel the effects. Makes for racing heart beat, headaches, diahrea, just like Energy/Diet drinks.So how are your bees doing ? I lost both my hives this year. First time in 12 years without any hives going into the winter. Held off on fall treatment, trying to get Fall goldenrod flow, didn't work out. Thinking about lift hives off the ground nest year , have seen others make stands from tubing. Best of luckAirco 250 ac/dc Heliwelder Square waveMiller Synchrowave 180 sdMiller Econo Twin HFLincoln 210 MPDayton 225 ac/dcVictor torchesSnap-On YA-212Lotos Cut60DPrimeweld 225 ac/dcPrimeweld mig180Miller AEAD-200
Reply:

Originally Posted by albrightree

Yes the 3M 2097/2297 cartridges are a good choice for both your hobbies. Just remember these are meant for nuisance level relief with organic acids, metals, and even ozone. Being outdoors or in a large garage with a window or door open reduces the concentration to nuisance levels. Its a good idea to always read you instructions, a great deal of info is printed really small on that piece of paper. 3M website is a little cryptic when trying to find info. If you aren't mig welding stainless, or tig welding stainless above 150 amps, I think your choice of respirators is fine.Here's info for the 2297  :        https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/...p-100-2297.pdfThe important part  :

If you were handling the acids all day in confined spaces, a different cartridge would probably be a better selection. Here's a poster with everything in on page  :       https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/...ion-poster.pdfIts a good idea to check you mask before each use, you should know how. Important to store properly , so you don't deform the valve when storing. Lots of guys where I work jam them into the bottom of their locker, and the facepiece/valve is deformed. When they go to use them, the valve doesn't work. We buy them by the dozen, so we just throw the bad ones out. Where I work, we mix Tons of Caffeine into drink blends for beverages. You don't want to find out that your valve is bad after your in the work space. By the time you can taste it (very bitter) you've already ingested enough to feel the effects. Makes for racing heart beat, headaches, diahrea, just like Energy/Diet drinks.So how are your bees doing ? I lost both my hives this year. First time in 12 years without any hives going into the winter. Held off on fall treatment, trying to get Fall goldenrod flow, didn't work out. Thinking about lift hives off the ground nest year , have seen others make stands from tubing. Best of luck