Air Sampling for Asbestos and Gases Associated with Fume Generation

Read the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) report about the gases associated with fume generation. In addition to fumes, miners are routinely exposed to carcinogens such as asbestos.

The generation of metal fume particles commonly occurs in conjunction with the generation of gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ozone, oxides of nitrogen, phosgene, and phosphine.

Arc or gas welding and cutting in the presence of chlorinated hydrocarbons in or near the weld or cut will produce hazardous concentrations of phosgene gas (COCl2) and hydrogen chloride (HCl). Chlorinated hydrocarbons are present in solvents, such as chloroform, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, and methyl chloroform.

The phosgene and hydrogen chloride are generated by the thermal decomposition of the solvents. Metals should not be degreased with chlorinated solvents.

Courtesy of MSHA

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