Is Welding Fume Really a Carcinogen?
According to HSA Ireland FAQs on Welding Fumes and the IARC Official Classification (2019) has classified welding fumes and UV radiation from welding contain carcinogens – meaning there is sufficient evidence that they can cause cancer in humans. IARC’s decision is based on substantial new evidence linking welding fume exposure to ill health.
Key points from the science:
- All types of welding fume are now considered carcinogenic, including mild steel.
- The main cancer risk identified is lung cancer; kidney cancer is also a concern.
- UV radiation from welding arcs is itself classified as a Group 1 carcinogen.
Regulators in the UK and Ireland have responded by tightening expectations around control of welding fumes, emphasising that there is no safe level of exposure and that reliance on general ventilation alone is not acceptable. Further reading: Risk Assessment of Welding
In this guide, we break down what the science says, what Irish law expects, and how local exhaust ventilation (LEV) and high‑quality fume extraction – like Kemper systems available from Kilkenny Welding Supplies (KWS) – help you stay compliant and protect your team.
Irish Legal Duties Around Welding Fumes
In Ireland, employers must control welding fume exposure under chemical agents and carcinogens legislation enforced by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). Welding fumes are treated as hazardous chemical agents, and carcinogenic components trigger stricter duties around risk assessment, prevention, and exposure control.
For welding and flame cutting, the HSA highlights the following control measures:
- A well‑ventilated work area.
- Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) suited to the specific welding activity.
- Appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE) when engineering controls alone cannot adequately control exposure.
- RPE as the primary control when welding outdoors, where LEV is usually ineffective.
Employers must carry out and regularly review written risk assessments, implement engineering controls following the hierarchy of control, and ensure that equipment is properly used and maintained. Welders and other exposed workers also have responsibilities to use fume control and report any defects. Further Reading
Why General Ventilation Is Not Enough
Traditional workshop extraction fans or open doors are not sufficient to control welding fume to acceptable levels in most real‑world welding scenarios. The HSA explicitly notes that LEV designed for the task is required, and that some configurations (such as simple movable “elephant trunk” arms) may not be suitable for continuous welds on large workpieces without careful planning.
Effective control requires:
- Capturing fumes as close as possible to the arc or weld pool (at‑source capture).
- Using extraction arms, extraction torches, or tables designed for welding fume.
- Ensuring adequate airflow and capture velocity for the process and position.
- Using RPE alongside LEV where residual exposure remains.
This is where dedicated welding fume extraction systems – such as Kemper’s mobile units, stationary cartridge filter systems, extraction arms, and work tables – are a practical solution for Irish workshops.