Indoor Air Quality Concerns in Metallurgy Labs

How Air Cleaning Protects Workers

Not a day goes by that you don’t use an item that was produced by metallurgy. Consider objects in your morning routine: the smartphone that wakes you, the spoon that scoops your cereal, the travel mug that holds your coffee, and the car/bus/train that takes you to work; all are objects that have been researched, manufactured, and refined through the science of metallurgy. Unfortunately, the science that makes your life safer can potentially harm a metallurgical worker unless strict safety measures are in place.

Metallurgy Defined

Metallurgy is the art, science, and technology of understanding, processing, and producing metals and alloys. From raw material to finished product, the practice of making metals useful requires controlling their properties to shape them into items we can use.

Metallurgy Process

The metallurgical field encompasses the entire lifecycle – from chemical extraction of the metals to refining and processing the ore, to the creation of new – or improvement of – existing objects. Often conducted in metallurgy labs, the process involves:

Purification – raw ore is heated or treated with chemicals to refine and remove impurities

Alloying – pure metal is sometimes mixed with other substances to create a stronger and more durable alloy

Shaping – treated metal is cast into molds or forged into its desired shape

Finishing – the metal is prepared into a finished product with heat or surface coatings

All of this work, whether conducted in a laboratory, foundry, or manufacturing facility, can create indoor air quality (IAQ) problems if not addressed.

Indoor Air Quality Concerns from Metallurgy

Facilities where metallurgical processing occurs are busy places. Metals are ground, cut, and polished. They are welded, soldered, and brazed. All of these processes can release airborne smoke, fumes, dusts, and particles. Specific metallurgical IAQ impurities stem from:

Dusts: During certain processes, fine metal dust particles are emitted. Inhalation of any dust can cause respiratory problems, such as asthma and bronchitis. More concerning are dusts from hazardous metals like chromium and cobalt that can create more severe risks, including cancer.

Gas: Hazardous gases such as nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide can increase the risk of explosion, cause respiratory problems, and even suffocation.

Fumes: Short-term inhalation of welding and soldering fumes can trigger mild flu-like symptoms. Long-term exposure to highly toxic metals, on the other hand, can be extremely dangerous. Manganese vapors, for instance, can cause neurological damage, and chromium is linked to cancer.

Air Cleaning Solutions

To mitigate occupational risk stemming from metallurgical work, safety measures should include the use of personal protective equipment, proper airflow, and room ventilation. In addition, the use of air cleaning equipment, such as fume extractors, should be in place to ensure that metal emissions are removed at their source and replaced with fresh, clean air.

Metallurgy facilities must protect their workers from harmful emissions by implementing a comprehensive indoor air quality plan. Consultation with an IAQ specialist is advised to help ensure facility and worker safety. For nearly 40 years, AIR Systems, Inc. has provided top-quality products for our customers’ air cleaning needs. For metal dusts and fumes, consider our Extract-All® SP987-3 Portable Air Cleaner. Contact us today for a free air quality assessment with one of our skilled and experienced IAQ specialists.