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Welding galvanized steel is common in the metal fabricating industry. Most welders will at some point in their career perform a weld on galvanized steel and encounter galvanize poisoning or "metal fume fever." Galvanize poisoning is a short-term reaction to overexposure of zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is produced when the steel's galvanized coating is heated and evaporates.

  1. What is Galvanized Steel

    • Galvanized steel is iron that is coated with zinc. When hot-dipped, the zinc chemically reacts with the base metal to form a corrosion resistant coating. The outer layer of the coating is pure zinc and subsequent layers gradually change in composition until they reach the iron base metal.

      Between the zinc outer layer and iron base metal, zinc oxide is present in varying percentages of zinc to iron. The zinc oxide has the same chemical make-up as the white powder used by lifeguards to protect their noses against sunburn.

    Signs of Galvanizing During Welding

    • Proper prep work to remove galvanizing from the weld area will reduce your exposure to zinc oxide fumes, but some galvanize will remain in the weld area. Yellowish-green smoke, white powdery particles floating in the air and white residue around the weld are sure signs that zinc oxide is present while welding.

      Exposure to large amounts of the yellowish-green zinc oxide fumes will result in galvanize poisoning, commonly referred to as metal fume fever. The amount of exposure will have a direct effect on the severity of your symptoms.

    Symptoms of Galvanize Poisoning (Metal Fume Fever)

    • Signs of galvanize poisoning are similar to flu symptoms. The onset of metal fume fever begins shortly after the body is exposed to zinc oxide and the symptoms include a slight headache and nausea. With increased exposure, flulike symptoms begin to set in.

      Moderate zinc oxide exposure results in chills, shaking, slight fever, vomiting, and cold sweats. When the listed symptoms begin, it is time to stop welding and get fresh air. The symptoms can quickly become debilitating and you may need to go home and let the symptoms subside.

      Fatalities have been associated with extreme cases of galvanize poisoning. Therefore when metal fume fever symptoms begin, you should immediately avoid further exposure.

    How Long "Metal Fume Fever" Lasts

    • Metal fume fever is short-lived and the symptoms begin to fade within four hours of exposure and generally completely fade within 24 hours. Extreme cases of overexposure may see metal fume fever symptoms last for as long as 48 hours.

      Drinking milk can quicken the recovery process as calcium helps remove the zinc build-up from your body.

      There have been studies performed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on the long-term effects of welding galvanized steel. No studies have shown long-term health problems due to continued exposure to zinc oxide fumes or repeated cases of metal fume fever.

    Avoiding Overexposure to Galvanize Fumes

    • Proper ventilation, avoiding direct contact with zinc oxide smoke, and proper pre-welding prep work will reduce the chances of your getting metal fume fever. Experienced welders that have had metal fume fever will tell you that drinking milk before, during and after welding galvanized steel will help eliminate the galvanize poisoning.

      There are specialized fresh air welding hoods available for welders who frequently weld galvanized steel.

       

      Article extracted from: 12166309884?profile=original

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In our "Under the Microscope" series, we're presenting you with some heavy-duty scientific articles about recent discoveries in alternative health. Dopamine and Serotonin are both neurotransmitters, or in simpler terms, “chemical messengers.” Each has a specific role, however, in how it affects the body and the brain. Keep reading to discover the natural magic inside your brain and how these neurotransmitters promote euphoria and excitement.

Dopamine
Dopamine transmits an impulse from a nerve cell to another nerve cell, organ or tissue. As such it is important for muscle activity. It is what sends the “message” of performing activity from the brain to the tissue. But, apart from this, Dopamine does another interesting job. It is responsible for feelings of pleasure, anger, excitement, motivation and euphoria.

A research conducted proved that dopamine levels are markedly high in individuals during their first days of “falling in love.” The “floating-on-air” or “everything is rosy” feeling most lovers have at the onset of a relationship is attributed to high levels of dopamine. Dopamine’s use in the treatment of Parkinson’s has long been discussed and proved, since one of its functions is to control and carry out movement. However, dopamine is increasingly being used to treat depression and bring about feelings of euphoria and excitement. Dopamine in various forms is a part of drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine that act as stimulants and thus are used and abused as drugs by humans. All the functions of dopamine are still to be mapped, currently researchers are of the opinion that is seems to be present almost everywhere in the brain.

Serotonin
Serotonin, again, is a neurotransmitter and controls and plays a major role in emotions such as anger and aggression as well as mood, sleep, sexuality and metabolism. People with higher levels of serotonin are known to be more aggressive and easily get flared up. Because it affects all the above aspects of the human body and life, serotonin is used in the treatment of disorders or conditions arising from the same like anxiety and panic related disorders, premature ejaculation, psychosis, insomnia and even some personality disorders. Serotonin in a specific form is a class of anti-depressants used to treat the above mentioned disorders. As an anti-depressant, serotonin can alter moods.

The latest research also points out that serotonin is instrumental in the creation of new brain cells. Depression is often attributed to suppression of production of new cells in the brain, hence anti depressants that stimulate production of serotonin, can help in generation of new cells. However the cause-effect relationship between Serotonin and Depression are yet to be ascertained. Doctors and researchers are yet to figure whether low levels of serotonin cause depression or depression leads to a drop in serotonin levels. A link has been established however that those who suffer from depression have low serotonin levels in the blood.

Although serotonin is not directly used in any drugs, drugs like LSD or Ecstasy are known to cause what is the Serotonin Syndrome, in which the levels of serotonin become too high. This can also be caused by an overdose of anti depressants belonging to the serotonin class. Serotonin Syndrome can cause symptoms of nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, increased heart rate, muscle spasms, etc. These symptoms show up within minutes or hours and the patient will need to be hospitalized with a medical emergency. If on medications like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) or Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI), then it is best not to doctor oneself and leave it to the experts.


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