Welding Tips and Tricks

HI,
I am just wondering how toxic tungsten is and if I should take more precautions while grinding my electrodes. Is tungsten considered a 'heavy metal' (like lead is)?
I have my 'shop' indoors, and it's in my living quarters, so any dust will fall on the carpet and I vacuum it up.
Just wondering-TIA!

Just to be clear. Are you welding and grinding in a carpeted area?

GaveUpOnTV wrote:HI,
I am just wondering how toxic tungsten is and if I should take more precautions while grinding my electrodes. Is tungsten considered a 'heavy metal' (like lead is)?
I have my 'shop' indoors, and it's in my living quarters, so any dust will fall on the carpet and I vacuum it up.
Just wondering-TIA!

You better have good insurance.

Dude! Some tungstens are RADIOACTIVE!

A surprising number of household items are radioactive. Don't worry about it.

do you plan on snorting it?

Thoriated tungstens are radioactive, but Thorium emits only alpha radiation. Which is not that harmfull on skin, but inhaling it is. Also I would not inhale any heavy metal dust etc. Those are never good to your health.
Nowadays some brands are trying to avoid selling Thoriated tungstens, because it's harder to ship.

I wouldn't worry dust on the ground that much, but grinding the tungsten should be done with dust collecting machine or vacuum that will suck the dust away.



Characteristics of Alpha Radiation

1. Alpha radiation is not able to penetrate skin.

2. Alpha-emitting materials can be harmful to humans if the materials are inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through open wounds.

3. A variety of instruments have been designed to measure alpha radiation. Special training in use of these instruments is essential for making accurate measurements.

4. A civil defense instrument (CD V-700) cannot detect the presence of radioactive materials that produce alpha radiation unless the radioactive materials also produce beta and/or gamma radiation.

5. Instruments cannot detect alpha radiation through even a thin layer of water, blood, dust, paper, or other material, because alpha radiation is not penetrating.

6. Alpha radiation travels a very short distance through air.

7. Alpha radiation is not able to penetrate turnout gear, clothing, or a cover on a probe. Turnout gear and dry clothing can keep alpha emitters off of the skin.

[Source: https://orise.orau.gov/reacts/guide/alpha.htm]

Pure tungsten, by itself, is so nearly inert as to be a "zero" health risk on it's own. Hell, it won't even oxidize unless it's so hot it's still glowing.

The alloying elements used in various tungstens are also mostly inert at room temperature. As mentioned, Thorium is the only one with a potential health hazard, but it's no more radioactive than the Americium in you smoke detectors. The only difference is the dust created when grinding it, and you've seen sound advice if this hazard concerns you... Ventilation/dust control will minimize exposure, and if you want to get anal about it, keep a dedicated "particulate" respirator by your grinder to catch any dust you might breathe.

Steve S

Let's get back to the fact that his shop in his living quarters. I understand times can be tough my friend, but grinding anything with a grinder inside is normally sketchy to say the least.

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Do your grinding outside or have a fan blowing or vacuum the dust out.

GaveUpOnTV wrote:HI,
I am just wondering how toxic tungsten is and if I should take more precautions while grinding my electrodes. Is tungsten considered a 'heavy metal' (like lead is)?
I have my 'shop' indoors, and it's in my living quarters, so any dust will fall on the carpet and I vacuum it up.
Just wondering-TIA!

Safe enough to use as a toothpick and to clean your fingernails.

Welding around carpet is much more dangerous

Tungsten is very toxic, you should always handle it with gloves.

Have a read.

http://www.binzel-abicor.com/AU/eng/download/msds/

If you need to do welding in a room in your house then I would suggest that you take up different work. Thankfully you're not using stick. I have a dedicated workshop and no matter how careful I am the place has dust buildup everywhere.