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How Welding Rod Fumes Cause Medical Problems and Neurological Disorders

The welding process involves the use of welding rods, which are melted to create a bond between the two pieces of metal being joined by the welder. The fumes released from the welding rod during this melting process include relatively high levels of manganese. In turn, exposure to manganese fumes has been associated with some neurological disorders. There are approximately 500,000 welders in the U.S. who have been exposed to differing degrees of welding rod fumes containing manganese, and multiples more of other trades who worked with or around these welders when they melted the welding rods and created these toxic fumes.

Lawyers for the welding industry defendants maintain that they are committed to defending their clients against all welding disease lawsuits – which one company’s attorney called "these meritless claims" – and they contend that the welding companies will prevail at the November 2005 MDL trial. There, and at all future welding trials, the key question for the jury will be whether welding fumes can cause neurological illnesses such as manganese poisoning or Parkinson's disease in welders and other trade workers.

Read more about Welding and Parkinsonism on our Welding and Parkinson's Disease Information Page.