Pneumonia from working on tractor?????

[gws]

Re: Pneumonia from working on tractor?????

Your not going to get pneumonia from welding or using your tractor, however dust, grime from welding could stress the lungs and possible help with or assist a preexsisting condition.

 

[RanchMan]

Re: Pneumonia from working on tractor?????

gws -

<font color=blue>Your not going to get pneumonia from welding or using your tractor... </font color=blue>

/w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif Hmmm...

Suffice to say that while yes, welding/grinding can aggravate a preexisting condition, you are incorrect in stating that you can't get pneumonia from such activities.

I’m a bit surprised as to your statement because my previous post has links which specifically cite that pneumonia can be caused as a result of welding.

Even OSHA (assuming you “trust” the government) says can occur when exposed to Beryllium fumes (acute). Of course, if those links aren’t “good enough”, then there’s <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/metal1.html>this link from the city of Tucson which cites pneumonia as a potential result of arc welding. Or from the CDC, which cites “respiratory disease.” Of course, then there’s <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.nohsc.gov.au/PDF/Standards/WeldingFumesGases.pdf>what the Australian government says about “chemical pneumonia” associated with welding (Cadmium, specifically.)

Believe what you wish, but there is plenty of evidence out there in the medical community that illustrates the connection between pneumonia and welding. Will everyone get pneumonia if they weld - absolutely not - but to say that there is no connection? Uhhhhhh......

 

[RanchMan]

blackd -

Glad you're thinking about going the dust mask route.

For years I used "cheapie" types, and although they were better than nothing, they weren't much better. /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif I finally got tired of all the congestion & illnesses I got from working with metal (and chemicals), so I stuck a crowbar in my wallet and spent some "real money" to get better equipment.

All I can say is WOW! /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Amazing how much they helped, (and it wasn't all just psychosomatic stuff either.) But then, it makes sense too, I mean, if you are keeping all that junk out of your lungs/nose/eyes, why wouldn't you feel better?

I went with 3M masks due to availability & variety, although there are certainly other brands out there. Even though they cost some money, I've found the investment WELL worth the rewards. I suspect that you (or anyone for that matter) would too - after all, doctors/medications are awful expensive now days.

I put a few links below to some places that sell masks/safety equipment along with some info from 3M. I hope you find them useful.

Get better soon! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/index.htm>Store 1</A>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.probuy.net/>Store 2</A>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.indlsafety.com/catalog/default.asp>Store 3</A>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://products.3m.com/usenglish/safety/ohes.jhtml?powurl=GSYTZNQZX7be5SDD44F7DZgeGST1T4S9TCgvRL5PK085P3gl>Disposable type masks</A>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://products.3m.com/usenglish/safety/ohes.jhtml?powurl=GSTJY48Z1Kbe5SDD44F7DZgeGST1T4S9TCgv4PV4LH4X9Kgl>Non Disposable type masks</A>

 

[blackd]

WOW!!! Thanks!
Don

 

[DocHeb]

It almost kills me to post this, but it came up on a Google search when I was searching for welding classes:

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.weldinginjurylawyer.com>WeldingInjuryLawyer.com</A>

If the lawyers say welding can cause lung problems - it must be true. They'd never lie or exaggerate, would they?/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[RanchMan]

DocHeb-

It appears that you seem to be saying that because lawyers are advocating suing (big surprise from lawyers /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif), it somehow invalidates information (or at least substantially reduces the reliability of such information)available from other sources (such as government reports, industry reports, employee organizations, first hand experience, etc.) as to the effects inhalation of vapors/particles associated with welding.

Is this what you are saying or am I reading too much in to your statement?

 

[Earnsfan]

I think the real question is can you build a FEL cheaper than you can buy one and install it?

 

[Hank]

DocHeb,

[Here's our chance to get some input from a physician].

My understanding, from growing up with two physicians as parents and a lifetime interest in things medical, is that pneumonia is, simply, fluid in your lungs. The fluid occupies space in the lungs that is otherwise needed for the exchange of oxygen between the air you breathe and your blood.

Most commonly, this fluid is pus from an infection, bacterial or viral. It can also be any other type of fluid, such as vomit from aspiration. Therefore, any causitive agent or process that can produce fluid in the lungs is a cause of pneumonia.

Too simplistic??

 

[DocHeb]

Inhalation of welding fumes can cause lung damage and irritation/pneumonia. Tongue-in-cheek doesn't come across well on a written forum, and I should be more careful.

 

[DocHeb]

<font color=blue>... that pneumonia is, simply, fluid in your lungs. The fluid occupies space in the lungs that is otherwise needed for the exchange of oxygen between the air you breathe and your blood...</font color=blue>

Pretty fair explaination. This fluid may come from an infectious source (bacterial, viral, fungal, mycoplasma) or from non-infectious inflammation. This non-infectious inflammation can come from many chemicals or irritants, and this includes welding fumes, diesel fumes, stomach contents, etc. Some irritation is tolerated and heals without us knowing (e.g. - your daily rounds on the tractor). The health of the exposee and the type/amount of exposure can combine to have the patient get enough inflammation to cause breathing problems. Any cause of non-infectious inflammation can turn into infectious pneumonia since the damaged lung cannot fight off infections in a normal fashion.