Hello Nikki and Lactnetters,
Arc and Tig are two welding techniques.
Arc welding involves the use of an electric arc to heat up the material to
be welded (base) plus the added material. The hazards in arc welding
involve fire, electric shock and inhalation of fumes, among others.
Electric shock or being under the effect of the non-ionizing radiation
field generated by the welder will have no impact on the breastfeeding
mother. Fire is a hazard independently of the breastfeeding status of the
welder. Thus, exposure to fumes is the only hazard that could impact
mother's milk.
If the welding is done in a ventilated room using a certified arc welder,
the hazards are not significant. Regular inhalation of fumes is a health
hazard to the person doing the welding, so employers take good care to
avoid undue exposure. The fumes are mostly generated by evaporating metals,
and can be pretty dangerous, e.g., chromium, nickel, cadmium, copper, lead,
beryllium, selenium, and zinc. There is an OSHA standard for arc welding.
The standard specifies the limit for the concentration of the substances in
air, and thus, the sizing of the ventilation (see 29 CFR 1000)
In TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding, an electric arc is also used to heat
and melt the material. But in addition, shielding inert gas that flows
through the gas nozzle protects the weld pool and the electrode. The key
purpose of the shielding gas in TIG welding is to protect the hot and
molten parts of the workpiece, the filler metal and the electrode from the
adverse influence of the surrounding air. In addition, the shielding gas
affects the characteristics of the arc and the appearance of the weld. TIG
welding minimizes splattering of material. The inert gas is asphyxiant and
there are fumes as well. Again, well ventilated, OSHA compliant work should
not lead to a hazardous situation for the welder.
If she is really very concerned, she can always have the milk analyzed,
although I think it is not necessary. I have to say that since the
sculptress is located in the US, I am confident she follows the rules and
is not working in a dangerous environment. Workplace safety and adherence
to rules is a side effect of a litigation-loving society that you only
appreciate once you live in a society that believes rules have been made to
be broken. This question asked by a mother working with the same materials
in a Third World country would warrant a careful analysis of the working
conditions and environment.
Hope this information helps.
Regards,
Veronica (writing from a 3rd World country)
Verónica Garea
Grupo de Apoyo a la Lactancia Materna de Bariloche
IBFAN Bariloche - LLL Argentina
At 17:04 05/05/04, you wrote:
>Dear Friends:
> A search of the archives has no matches for this topic.
> A client of mine is a sculptress and works at a bronze foundry. She does
>ARC and TIG welding and is wondering about the impact of that work on her
>milk.
> Please reply to the list.
> warmly,
>Nikki Lee RN, MS, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI
>Maternal-Child Adjunct Faculty Union Institute and University
>Film Reviews Editor, Journal of Human Lactation
>Support the WHO Code and the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative
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