Welding Rods History / Timeline

1837 - James Couper examined toxicologic effects of Mn in Ore grinders. This study showed Mn as the casuative agent for neurological and behavioral dysfunctions. Workers gridning manganese ores developed symptoms that included, masklike featurse.

1920s - Manganese Alloys and welding replace cast iron.

1931 - Manganese: Its distribution, pharmacology and health hazards. Physiological Review. By Von Oettingen. Psychosis and neurodegeneration were noticed in 70 miners exposed to Mn dust. Symptoms included: muscular stiffness, staccato-like gait, rigid gaze, hepatic dysfunction, tremor in the hands, psychic manifestations, and auditory hallucinations1932 – Medical journal article published documenting neurological injury in two welders as a result of manganese poisoning.

1937 – National Association of Electrical Manufacturers (NEMA), a trade organization to which numerous welding rod manufacturers belong, receives a safety booklet published by insurers warning of link between welding fumes and Parkinsonism. The organization agrees to form a "Dust and Smoke Committee" to preempt investigation of welding fume hazards by independent sources.

1949 – NEMA publishes welding trade journal containing article stating welding fumes are not toxic.

1954 – Researchers examined hundreds of cases with Mn intoxication. Found workers exposed to particulate matter (PM) of 5 micrometers or less could develop extensive neuro degeneration.

1967 - First warning label placed on welding rods

1981 – An exploratory study of manganese exposure to welders. Clinical Toxicology By Chandra et al. 60 welders from three plant environments (heavy engineering shop, railway workshop, ship repair shop) were tested for adverse health affects those of which included but were not limited to respiratory ailments and neurological deficiencies.

1984 – Manganese associated with tremors and hyperkinesia. 1987 - First manganese effects to central nervous system placed in the material safety data sheet in mild steel products.

1994 – Manganism and idiopathic parkinsonism: similarities and differences. Neurology By Calne et al. Distinction in PET and MRI scans between Parkinson's disease and manganism were discovered. If a MRI scan shows positive (there could be both Mn and Parkinson's) the secondary test to determine the difference is the PET scan. If the PET shows up positive, it is Parkinson's, if it shows up negative, it is Manganism.

1995 – Neurotoxicity of Manganese. Handbook of Neurotoxicity. By Chu et al. Manganism affects Globus Pallidus. Confirms the use of MRI of the brain reveals accumulation of Mn in cases of manganism, but few or no changes in the globus pallidus of Parkinson's disease.

1996 - Warning labels were eventually included with welding rods (other than mild steel)

2001 - Welding-related parkinsonism: Clinical features, treatment, and pathophysiology. Neurology. By Brad A. Racette. 15 Professional welders developed clinical neurological signs for Parkinson's 15 years earlier than the general population developing Parkinson's disease.

2002 – Mechanisms of Manganese-Induced Rat Pheochromocytoma (PC12) Cell Death and Cell Differentiation. Neurotoxicology. By Roth et al. Manganese mechanism of action discovered. PC12, rat neuronal cells, were used as a model for dopaminergic neurons (this controls our motor functions). The study shows that that Mn attaches to the two receptors vitronectin or fibronectin through the DMT1 transport system and in the absence of Iron will promote manganese toxicity.

2003 – Iron interactions and other biological reactions mediating the physiological and toxic actions of manganese. Biochemical Pharmacology By Jerome A. Roth. Persons with iron deficiency have an increased risk for manganism. Iron and manganese bind to the same protein in serum (transferrin) and in similar transport systems (DMT1) and has a higher affinity to attach in the absence of iron.

2003 - October 28th, Larry Elam was awarded $1,000,000 for his claim against welding rod manufacturers.

Weitz & Luxenberg is no longer accepting new Welding Rod cases.

see also:

Fume Exposure Welding Rod Litigation - Welding Rod Lawyers - About Welding Rod Fumes
This page contains important information you need to know if you or a loved one has ever spent time as a welder or in an invironment where welding occured.

Manganese Info Welding Rod Litigation - Welding Rod Lawyers - Manganese Information
Here you can find a history of Welding Rods, including Manganese

Learn More Welding Rod Litigation - Welding Rod Lawyer - Learn More about Welding Rods
Welding Rods Lawyer - Learn About Welding Rods Side Effects