SAFETY ALERT FOR WELDERS
Welding and Parkinson's Disease
Welding-Related Parkinsonism; Welding rod disease; welding
fumes sickness
Welding fumes may cause the early onset of Parkinson's Disease
in welders. Sometimes this occupational disease is called
welding-related Parkinsonism, welding rod disease, or welding
fumes sickness.
Long term and heavy exposure to welding fumes can result
in the early development of Parkinson's Disease (also known
as Parkinson's Syndrome, PD, or Parkinsons). Occupational
exposure to manganese fumes emitted when filler materials
are burned during welding has been related to the development
of early Parkinson's Disease in some welders. Parkinsons Disease
is caused by the progressive destruction of nerve cells that
control muscle movement.
It has been long known that manganese poisoning or manganese
toxicity can lead to an occupational disease called manganism.
Because symptoms of manganism disease are so similar to Parkinson's
symptoms, manganism has been classified as a Parkinson's syndrome
by doctors; thus, manganese exposure from welding fumes may
be an environmental cause of Parkinson's Disease in welders.
Products liability lawsuits have been filed against manufacturers
of welding supplies which contain toxic fillers and which
are responsible for manganese poisoning and early Parkinsons
in welders.
Symptoms of Parkinsons Disease, Parkinson Syndrome, and Parkinsonism
include:
- tremors; shaky or slow movements
- impaired hand-eye coordination; abnormal balance
- awkward movements; clumsiness; difficulty with walking
- lack of body control; loss of motor skills
- slurred speech; lack of facial expression
- weakness and tiredness; mood problems
If you or someone you know has had substantial exposure to welding
fumes and has been diagnosed with Parkinson Disease or have
developed symptoms usually associated with Parkinson's Disease,
you may be entitled to receive compensation. Please contact
Attorney Jason J. Thompson of our law firm
to discuss this matter further.
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