Total budget: 40.000.000 HUF

Project manager: Dr. Csaba Kővágó

Duration:

from 1st September 2018. to 31st May 2023.

 

Summary:
Metal welding is one of the most important joining methods in industrial manufacturing all around the world. Thus many
hundred-thousand workers in the world are involved in full- or part time job, and suffer from the chemical, thermal, radiation
and other expositions of the welding. Since welding requires high skills these workers are precious human resources of the
manufacturers and often there is shortage from skilled enough personnel on this field for example in our country as well. In
this aspect it can be concluded that welding has high economical and healthcare impact.
With our experiments we want to gather data about the inhalation risks of the fume generated by Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG)
welding process, which is wildly used for joining stainless steel, high alloy steels or aluminum workpieces in the industry.
Since these materials are containing metals like chromium, manganese, molybdenum, titan, nickel which are proven to be
capable to cause lung problems, toxicosis and even cancer, it is very important to avoid the inhalation of these malicious
metal particles.
Metal fume fever syndrome is known for long time ago as a flu-like disease among welders who are working with zinc
coated steels. Although several investigations have been made, the exact cause and mechanism of the disease is still not
known. In our project we will recreate and examine in fine details the disease in experimental animals to understand the
mechanism behind it and to be able to create protective measures for the welders against the disease.
Utilizing these data we will be able to modify the technology and apply more safe rules to protect the welders health more
than it is done these days.