A fume is a gas, vapor or smoke that is unpleasant or unhealthy. They usually have a strong or irritating odour and are generally harmful to living things. Fumes can come from substances such as fuel or chemicals or can be emitted through the processes of burning or cooking. Some fumes are more dangerous than others as there are different levels of toxicity. Most fumes are manmade and the concentration levels determine how lethal they are.
The level of risk on your health from fumes depends on how concentrated the fumes are, how toxic the fumes are and how long you were exposed. For example, some symptoms of fume exposure include headaches, breathing problems, watering eyes, runny or blocked nose and nausea. It should be noted that prolonged exposure to fumes may result in chronic bronchitis or cancer.
To alleviate fume exposure in the workplace it can be as simple as ensuring certain activities are performed in open spaces and using correct PPE, such as respirators. In other circumstances, this may not be an effective solution and exposure becomes unavoidable. This is where WDIS can help. We specialize in fume extraction and can provide many solutions to suit your business. We can design, manufacture, supply and install fume cupboards, ducting, fans and hoods. For any assistance with your fume problems call WDIS today. We can come and assess your situation and provide a free quote – no job is too big or small. When it comes to the safety of you and your staff, nothing is more important.
Some examples of processes that create toxic fumes are:
- Smoking
- Cooking
- Printing
- Engraving
- Welding
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Laser engraving
- Laboratory & cleanroom work.
Some types of fumes that can be created are:
- Carbon monoxide
- Cyanide
- Formaldehyde
- Lead
- Methamphetamine
- Chloroform
- Mercury
- Gasoline
- Sulphates
