Welding can cause a severe form of sunburn and other skin and eye damage. This is due to the welding arc emitting intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which harms unprotected tissues. Effects can range from immediate discomfort to long-term health complications if proper precautions are not taken.
Understanding Welding Ultraviolet Radiation
Welding arcs generate electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, infrared (IR), and ultraviolet (UV). UV radiation is the primary cause of skin and eye damage, similar to solar exposure. UV radiation is categorized into three types: UVA (315-400 nm), UVB (280-315 nm), and UVC (100-280 nm).
While solar UV light consists mostly of UVA, with some UVB, nearly all UVC from the sun is absorbed by Earth’s atmosphere before reaching the surface. In contrast, welding processes produce significant amounts of all three UV types, especially UVC, which is highly energetic and damaging. Infrared radiation from welding is felt as heat and can cause thermal burns, while intense visible light can lead to eye strain and temporary blindness.
Recognizing the Signs
For the skin, “welder’s burn” or “arc burn” resembles a severe sunburn, characterized by redness, pain, and sometimes blistering or peeling. Damage to unprotected skin can occur rapidly, even from reflected radiation. The severity depends on factors like radiation intensity, distance from the arc, and exposure duration.
For the eyes, exposure can lead to a condition known as “arc eye,” “welder’s flash,” or photokeratitis, which is essentially a corneal sunburn. Symptoms typically appear several hours after exposure, ranging from 30 minutes to 12 hours. Common signs include intense pain, a gritty sensation as if sand is in the eyes, tearing, redness, sensitivity to light (photophobia), and sometimes blurry vision or swollen eyelids. Eyelid muscle spasms can also make it difficult to open the eyes.
Preventing Skin and Eye Damage
Preventing damage from welding radiation involves using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). A welding helmet with a suitable shade lens shields the face and eyes from intense light and UV radiation. Helmets should meet safety standards, such as ANSI Z87.1, ensuring protection even when not actively darkening.
Beyond the helmet, comprehensive body coverage protects the skin. Welders should wear flame-resistant clothing made from tightly woven materials like wool or treated cotton, covering all exposed skin with long sleeves and pants. Synthetic materials like nylon or polyester should be avoided as they can melt onto the skin when exposed to heat. Gloves, such as leather gauntlet-type cuffs, protect hands and forearms. Even bystanders near welding operations require protection due to reflected UV radiation.
Long-Term Considerations
Repeated or chronic exposure to welding radiation without adequate protection can lead to long-term health issues. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies UV radiation from welding as a Group 1 carcinogen, known to cause cancer in humans. This includes an increased risk of skin cancers, such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. These cancers can develop on skin areas repeatedly exposed, particularly the head, neck, and upper extremities.
Chronic UV and IR exposure can also cause permanent eye damage. Conditions like cataracts, which cloud the eye’s lens, can result from long-term exposure to both UV and infrared light. Ocular melanoma, a type of eye cancer, is a risk associated with prolonged UV radiation exposure from welding. Consistent use of protective measures is fundamental to mitigating these risks.