Plasma Cutting Smoke Dangers

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The Hidden Dangers of Plasma Cutting Smoke

Plasma cutting is one of the most popular processes for cutting steel and other metals in many manufacturing shops. It is also a hobby for many metal cutting enthusiasts. Because it’s a thermal cutting process, it produces plasma cutting smoke. An inert gas is blown at high speeds through a nozzle, creating an electrical arc that turns some of that gas into plasma. Plasma cuts are some of the finest in the manufacturing industry. Therefore, plasma cutting is extremely popular in today’s modern metalworking.

You may have heard of hexavalent chromium, often called hex chrome. It is certainly a serious problem for people working with stainless steel. Further, many other metals are either alloyed or electroplated with chromium to protect them from corrosion.

When inhaled, hex chrome is known to increase the risk of lung cancer and other cancers. When in contact with the skin, it can cause irritation and skin sores. However, hex chrome is not only produced from plasma cutting. Workers can also be exposed from laser cutting, thermal cutting, and welding.

Other materials that people may encounter in plasma cutting smoke include iron, copper, zinc, nickel, manganese, aluminum, tin, beryllium, cadmium, lead, and titanium. As a result, most of these can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat. Moreover, some can cause brain and nerve damage, harm your lungs and kidneys, and even cause cancer.

What Can Be Done

OSHA recommends engineering controls, including dust and fume collections systems, as the first line of protection against health hazards from plasma cutting fumes. Personal protective equipment is considered the last line of defense and according to OSHA should only be used when ventilation is not an option.

Fortunately, there’s no reason to put your health in danger just to do your job. OSHA regulations set safe exposure levels for almost all metal fumes. Our team can advise you on the best ways to keep people safe when they’re welding or working around laser or plasma cutting.

Imperial Systems manufactures high performing dust and fume collection systems specifically to take on tough laser, plasma, and thermal applications. The CMAXX Laser by Imperial Systems is our signature dust and fume collection system for fighting tough fumes from plasma and laser cutting. The CMAXX Laser is a modular design dust and fume collector that connects directly to the laser or plasma cutting table. Since the CMAXX Laser connects directly to the cutting table, this minimizes the cost by virtually eliminating any ductwork costs.

►Check out this infographic on hexavalent chromium for more information!

References:

Facts about Plasma Cutting and Plasma Technology. Penrose: BOC, n.d. BOC. Web.
Gibson, Hugh. “Plasma Cutting Using A Hand Held Machine.” Plasma Cutting Danger!N.p., 19 Mar. 2013. Web. 08 Jan. 2014.
Plasma Cutter Safety Guide | Longevity-inc.com.” Plasma Cutter Safety Guide. Longevity-inc.com, n.d. Web. 08 Jan. 2014.
Sheahan, Kyra. “OSHA Safety Standard for Plasma Dust.” EHow. Demand Media, 28 Nov. 2010. Web. 08 Jan. 2014.
Stone, Joe. “OSHA Safety Standard for Plasma Dust.” Work. Demand Media, n.d. Web. 08 Jan. 2014.
Zlotnicki, Steve. “Does Plasma Cutting Produce Hex Chrome.” Plasma Arc Cutting of Stainless Steel Will Produce Hexavalent Chromium. Esab-cutting, 12 May 2013. Web. 08 Jan. 2014.

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