An independent study has compared the relative hazards of TIG Brush and TIG Welding fumes and has found TIG Brush fumes to be benign.

TIG welding of stainless steel is known to cause metal fume fever, with serious health effects on welders. The disease is contracted through inhalation of welding fumes, which contain zinc oxides as well as some iron and manganese oxides. It can cause flu-like fever, headaches, listlessness and dizziness.

To gain an understanding of the relative risk factors involved in TIG Brush operation vs. TIG welding, Ensitech commissioned Gauge Industrial and Environmental to conduct a detailed laboratory analysis of both types of fumes.

During the study, fumes produced by welding a plate of 316 stainless steel with a TIG welder were captured, analysed and compared with fumes captured in a similar manner during weld cleaning using a TIG Brush and the proprietary TB-25 weld cleaning solution.

It was found that TIG welding fumes contained 99.9% more zinc than TIG Brush fumes. Long-term exposure to zinc oxide fumes leads to metal fume fever. During the study no zinc could be detected in the TIG Brush fumes.

Similarly, TIG Brush fumes contained 96.0% less iron and 66.6% less nickel than TIG welding fumes, while manganese oxides, which are known to be chronic toxins with central nervous system effects, were recorded in TIG welding fumes at levels 98.3% higher than in TIG Brush fumes.

Phosphorus pentoxide was the principal hazardous element present in TIG Brush fumes. It was detected at a level slightly exceeding the EU limit. (Australian standards do not define a limit for exposure to this element.)

Overall, the chemistry in TIG welding fumes and in TIG Brush fumes pose similar immediate irritation potential to operators if not suitably protected, but the risk of Metal Fume Fever is significantly less in the case of TIG Brush fumes.

For further details, download a copy of the full report.