Re: Tungsten,2% Thoriated or Pure?

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: FIFTYGUY@xxxxxxx 

In a message dated 2/12/07 4:18:45 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, 
tesla@xxxxxxxxxx writes:

>Most of the welding hazard data comes from "handling" tungsten not
>"inhaling" it so the risk may seem less to us as Tesla coilers.

    I dunno if you've ever done any TIG welding, but the manual 
welding process involves meticulous attention to a weld-in-progress 
that's about a foot away from your face. Granted, attention to 
ventilation is always good practice while welding or heating metals 
(especially zinc and its alloys - see "Metal Fume Fever"). Many 
welding helmets for "heavy" welders include ventilation, cooling, and 
filtering systems.
    Already there has been much concern and legislation regarding 
the chromium content of welding fumes. Especially the Hexavalent 
flavor (a la Erin Brokovich). Since welding stainless steel involves 
chromium, and stainless steel is so widely used, many industries are 
affected by the recent attention.
    On the other hand, I suspect *very* few 'coilers stand close 
enough to their spark gaps to worry about the heavy concentration.

>We (Tesla Coilers) not only grind it, we blow it into the air with 
our gap motors and or fans...

    Again, I dunno if you have any TIG welding experience, but it 
involves grinding the electrode ends to shape for the weld task at 
hand. As delivered, the rods/electrodes have a cylindrical shape. For 
various types of welding, one wants either a sharp point or a rounded 
point. In some cases a ball is formed on the end of the electrode by 
melting it and allowing surface tension to "blob" it. A copper 
"scratch plate" is sometimes used to preserve or form the point (so 
add copper vapor to the list of welding hazards).
  Of course, we 'coilers also generate so much ozone that 
ventilation is imperative. I have the feeling that if you can't stand 
the ozone exposure, you're probably going to ventilate sufficiently 
to alleviate any metal vapor problems.

-Phil LaBudde