Hi Ries,
You have made some interesting points. I especially appreciate what you said concerning the reduced fumes as a result of utilizing a pulsed MIG process rather than flux core, stick, and "many standard MIG Machines". I would add to that statement that many of the pulsed MIG power supplies are inverter which utilize less current off the wall, consequently having less intense fields which are also reduced 1/d cubed making the field generation from the power supply less of an issue even while considering the harmonic wave forms from the inverter itself.
Fume exposure is an important matter to be sure, and also deserves a thorough discussion.
I find absolutely no merit to argument or the characterization of someone whom I disagree with.
Research concerning the risks using pulsed MIG and pulsed TIG processes does show that ICNIRP levels are exceeded by a factor of up to seven.I believe this is due to the harmonics from the wave shaping from both of these processes. The current from these odd peaks can rise to over 450 Amps from a unit that is rated 250 Amp output.
Ries, I appreciate your input and hope that other members contribute knowledge concerning the safety of welding.
Peace,eh
Frank

I dont currently own any pulsed power supplies, but I have used a small pulsed tig unit from time to time, a Miller maxstar 150. It was a very good machine, and gives great welds. I borrowed one from an ex employee, and have rented one occasionally. But overall, my hours on a pulsed machine are probably less than 20, lifetime.

So I dont really have a horse in this race.

I am interested, however, in where you are finding information as to the health hazards of these machines.

Generally speaking, I have yet to see any proof that electrical fields are causing deaths on any measurable scale due to consumer appliances worldwide. Certainly, there are claims, but I havent seen any real scientific studies to that affect. There are so many manmade environmental factors that could be causing up ticks in cancer, or other diseases, from hormones in foods to plasticizers in the waste stream, to air pollution, that it is hard for me to believe that high frequencies are responsible for any significant, traceable damage.
Obviously, people like military microwave techs, or radiation technicians, are a different story.

I am not against health, by any means- I just like to see repeatable, scientific evidence before I jump to conclusions.

Below is a link(copy/paste) to a well written study concerning magnetic fields associated with welding:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr338.pdf

Here's another:

http://www.fronius.com/cps/rde/xbcr/SID-49B56592-C8A63910/fronius_usa/FA_0205_Assessment_of_EMF_IIW_DOC-XII-1848-05_en.pdf

Frank

I actually read more studies than that but remembered to bookmark three. The other study examines static magnetic fields.

I didn't mean to infer that these studies had definitive evidence of ultimate doom. I wouldn't consider them worth reading.Some studies that are sponsored by power companies take the opposite tact.

The fruit that can be easily shaken from the tree of knowledge is the caution they suggest when welding. Proximity to the torch, wires and power source is where the highest risk is as the magnetic field has the highest strength there. Get away a bit and the field is exponentially weaker.Pulsed processes can increase the risk.

Bind the ground wire and the torch wire together and the EMF is reduced. Don't drapes the wires on your self. Don't get in between the ground wire and the torch wire.Connect the ground as close to the weld as possible.

I think a shielded power cord would make a safer machine and provide a cleaner input.

I want to be around a long time and want all my art metal friends to be there with me.
Peace,eh
Frank

I`ve worked in factories and shipyards and done carbon arc gouging for 2-3 days at a shot and can say that the 2 main problems for welders are eye problems and lung problems.The rest are just the things that go along with working heavy industry and wearing out your body.

When arc gouging(at 300+ amps) you can see the hanging leads jump from the EMF.We just never stood in them.It IS common practice to drape the lead over your shoulders and let it run down your working arm though.That way your whole arm supports the lead rather than just your wrist.I`ve welded with a suitcase feeder directly overhead so the lead was as straight as possible when welding aluminum and sit next to the power source so I can dial the amps or wire speed up as I weld.

Believe me,if EMF was a real world problem then the unions I`ve been in wouldn`t let their members be exposed to it every day.

Stephen Fitz-Gerald
and let us not forget the insidious,and often overlooked danger of WELDERS BREATH! OMG
Actually,That particular scent is indelibly etched in my mind associated with LOVE. When i was a child and my welder ,sculptor father returned from his studio after a long day sucking up toxic fumes from stick welding,his breath had a peculiarly altered flavor which I could readily recognize as he picked me up in his arms to say hello.I've not forgotten it to this day...

Stephen,
That's actually a lovely story.

My father delivered Wonder Bread downtown Detroit. He occasionally took me to work with him on a Saturday. I remember the smells from the bakery.

Every store owner would offer me a candy bar or other treat as my father was a brother to each one no matter what their color or religion . I miss that Detroit.

Peace,eh
Frank

Stephen Fitz-Gerald
There is much evidence emerging about negative effects of EMFs in CLOSE PROXIMITY to power generating windmills. They even have a new term which is called "wind turbine syndrome".I'm not sure they know scientifically exactly WHAT is going on but folks living close to these high large wind turbines get very ill with a vast range of strange symptoms.Apparently it effects everyone differently and some are more susceptible than others.
I agree with Ries that there are so many other dangers from welding that will get ya first...
My eyes are shot from an "automatic" welding hood that misfires when it's cold.Flash has burned my retina a bit I'm sure...

Stephen,
I googled the phrase "wind turbine syndrome" and discovered that the emission from the turbines was sound, which is a wave. Sound waves can travel very far, especially low frequency sound waves.Below 20 hertz you can't hear the wave but you sure can feel it.I've read about ventilation fans having a similar effect on people in the building where the offending fan was located.

Generally speaking fields, whether magnetic or electric,loose their strength inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source eg. double the distance from the source and the field is one fourth the strength. Getting a little farther away from a magnetic field source is worth the effort (respect is not fear).

I fail to see the logic that, if there are worse risks,I can safely ignore unknown or lesser risks.Bad synergy is greater than the sum of the individual risks even if you could somehow accurately quantify each.

Just close one eye when you weld with the faulty hood.(Sorry, I couldn't help myself)

Throw that piece of shit away and get a functional mask!
Take care,eh
Frank

Stephen Fitz-Gerald
I agree with you Frank about synergy and it's multiplicative effects.I try to minimize the negative effects as best i can,of this avocation that i love so much. Of course the new hood is next...LOL thanks for the reminder!

Hi Ivan,
I've never used a plasma cutter, so Don't know much about the kind if light given off. Maybe someone else can chip in some thoughts.I think all high quality self darkening welding helmets are adjustable enough to suit most any welding and cutting processes(within reason). I think the exception would be gas welding aluminum. The light emitted from the burning flux is a tough on the eyes. "TinMan" Kent White sells some great lenses for this process so you can see the puddle and still be protected.

Electromagnetic fields can be shielded, magnetic fields basically cannot be shielded, so the distance factor is the best prevention card.

My cataracts aren't ripe yet, but the day is coming, my peripheral vision is less cloudy than straight on. Dry eyes force me to wear occlusive eye wear (safety glasses) all day. I think that this practice has bought me some time.
Life is indeed good...
Frank

It`s just good practice to wear as dark a lens as you can stand(and still see the line) when plasma cutting to avoid any flashing either when the cup is not in contact with the work(like a plunge cut)or when cutting near an edge and the arc is partially visible from the side.
There has been some concern about eye damage when welding with just the green type lens.I use the gold shielded lenses because of this and it also helped me to see the weld puddle better.I`m told that glass workers also need specialized eye protection to avoid eye damage as well.
If you`re going to gas weld aluminum then be SURE to get the correct lenses from your welding supply house.We used to use the old cobalt blue but they have new ones out now that protect far better.

In theory there is no difference between theory and practice.
In practice there is.

Hi Daedalus,
Great Information! Thank you.
Peace,eh
Frank