[TheForge] TheForge Digest, Vol 62, Issue 12

[Woolley]

> Corollary:  If one gets a headache, either after arc welding or after
> some potential exposure to galvi/zinc fumes, drinking milk is the best
> first response, right?  I've heard this about welding, and try to
> always have some milk or yogurt when I arc-weld.  I thought it was the
> rod's flux, this doesn't apply to mig or torch welding, right?
>
>   
Years ago when I worked at the Getty Oil Refinery in Delaware City there 
was milk available to anyone working in the scrubbing unit.  There was ex
posure to acids in parts of the unit and was generally thought that if 
you drank milk before exposure to say zinc through welding on galvanized 
parts etc it would create a barrier(however temporary) on the mucous 
membrane in your mouth.  That is how I understood milk to be of some 
benefit to welders exposed to burning zinc. I may be wrong. Whatever 
preventive measure you choose, LIMIT your exposure to burning zinc.When 
I stick weld anything in my shop especially galvanized parts, I run my 
exhaust fan and ceiling mounted fan until the smoke is clear.(and 
usually keep my exhaust fan on even in winter)  I limit the time exposed 
to zinc fumes carefully by going outside till the smoke clears etc.

Bill Woolley