A jury recently awarded $1 million to Illinois man who said he developed Parkinson's disease from years of breathing fumes from welding rods.

In Larry Elam's case, the jury ruled that welding-rod manufacturers are responsible for failing to warn him about potential health problems. Elam, 65, of Collinsville, Ill., said he used rods made and sold by major companies across the country, including Lincoln Electric Co. in Cleveland. The companies argued that  there is no link between welding and Parkinson's.

Attorneys for welders say workers suffered neurological damage from welding rod fumes that contain manganese, which stabilizes and hardens the weld. In documents, the attorneys said the fumes can lead to brain damage.

Welding is the process of joining two or more different metals. Welding electrodes (also called welding rods) contain manganese.   Additionally, certain types of welding wire are contain up to 24% manganese.  Unfortunately, the process of welding,  cause the emission of these manganese fumes to be released into the air as well as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ozone and fluorine.  These gases may be odorless and cannot be seen with the naked eye.  

For over a hundred and fifty years, manganese has been medically recognized as toxic to the brain and central nervous system.  Exposure to heavy concentrations of these fumes for as little as three months may produce a progressive condition, referred to as Manganism.  Manganism is also referred to as manganese poisoning, and manganese-induced Parkinsonism.  In 1963, a toxicologist by the name of Dr. Irving Sax published a book which noted that manganese “affects the nervous system and can cause paralysis to a degree which may be disabling” and that “widespread... exposure occurs in electric arc welding since most welding rod coatings contain manganese.”

Parkinsonism is a disabling neurological disorder associated with the following symptoms:

1.      Tremors of the arms and hands;

2.      Loss of balance

3.      Excessive periods of time with little or no blinking, or facial expressions;

4.      Drooling;

5.      Slow, unsteady and decreased movement;

6.      Stiffness in arms;

7.      Akinesia

8.      Stiffness in legs;

9.      Gait changes, including “shuffling of  feet” and rigidity in arms;

10.  Loss of balance

11.  Fixed gaze - Excessive periods of time with little or no blinking, or facial expressions;

12.  Drooling;

13.  Impaired reflexes;

14.  Bradykinesia

The causal connection between welding fumes that contain manganese and neurological injuries have been documented for hundreds of years, dating back to1837.  A published report from 1837 described two ore workers who experienced symptoms of parkinsonism induced manganese poisoning. These workers were described as showing symptoms of  “fixed gaze, slow movements, rigidity,  and tremors,”

 Another medical article published in 1932, explained that manganese electrodes should be avoided due to health risks of  welders.  Incredibly, in 1937, an insurance company published a welding safety booklet stating that manganese in welding fumes “causes a disease similar to paralysis agitans [Parkinson’s disease].

Chronic manganese poisoning in the welding profession was even recognized in 1981, by the World Health Organization. Additionally, recent studies have further shown that some welders exposed to welding rod fumes have now developed symptoms of Parkinsonism or Manganism, similar to Pakinson's Disease.

For instance, an unpublished report of 20,000 workers exposed to welding fumes written by Dr. Paul Nausieda, medical director of the Regional Parkinson Center at St. Joseph's Hospital in Milwaukee, found that 10% of the "welding population" developed signs of, or symptoms similar to, Parkinson's Disease compared to 1% among the general population.

While the welding industry denies any cover-up involving the health risks from welding fumes and  denies any causal relationship  between exposure to manganese and Parkinsonism, the overwhelming evidence points the contrary. 

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Manganism, also referred to as manganese poisoning, or Maganese-induced Parkinsonism, you should consult with an attorney immediately.  For a free evaluation of your claim, please fill out the form below.

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Free Welding Rod Fumes Consultation

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