Last updated in June 2024
We have been a pioneer in North America, providing welding fume extraction solutions since the 1980s. In this blog post, you will find the exposure limits in Nova Scotia for some of the most common hazardous metals and gases found in welding fume.
Fumes are formed when a metal is heated above its boiling point, and its vapors condense into very fine particles. Their size ranges from 0.005 to 20 µm, but most are smaller than 1 µm and may deposit throughout the respiratory system.
The fume composition depends on the material being welded, the electrode, the coatings, the flux, and the shielding gas, among other things. Air sampling is usually necessary to know which hazardous and regulated substances are in your working environment. But getting information on the composition of metals, gases, and consumables used in the welding process is usually a good start.
What particulates are potentially dangerous in welding fume?
Here is a list of some dangerous metals and gases commonly found in welding fume that will be covered on this page:
- Aluminum
- Antimony
- Arsenic
- Beryllium
- Cadmium
- Chromium
- Cobalt
- Copper
- Iron oxide
- Lead
- Manganese (learn more about manganese in welding fumes)
- Molybdenum
- Nickel
- Silver
- Tin
- Titanium dioxide
- Vanadium
- Zinc
- Argon
- Carbon Dioxide
- Carbon Monoxide
- Helium
- Hydrogen Fluoride
- Nitric Oxide
- Nitrogen
- Nitrogen Dioxide
- Ozone
- Phosgene
Nova Scotia Workplace Health and Safety Regulations – Welding Fume
In Nova Scotia, companies must follow Workplace Health and Safety Regulations. Information regarding Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) can be found in Part 2 (Occupational Health).
“TLVs and BEIs means the latest version of the publication of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists of threshold limit values and biological exposure indices.”
“An employer must comply with, and ensure compliance with, the threshold limit values for exposure to all of the following, as listed in the TLVs and BEIs: gases; vapors; mists; fumes; smoke; dust; chemical substances; physical agents.”
Regarding general ventilation, although not explicitly stated, the general consensus is that a minimum of 4 air changes per hour is required for industrial buildings, including those with welding operations. In confined spaces, the minimum recommended is 10 air changes per hour, though 20 or more may be necessary.
Any questions? Ask them directly in the chat at the bottom right of your screen or during one of our webinars.

Nova Scotia – Threshold Limit Values for Welding Fume, Metals, and Gases
Threshold Limit Values (TLV) are copyrighted by ACGIH and cannot be reproduced on other websites. However, you will find the links to the relevant pages on their website below. Use them to know the OELs to follow.
ACGIH has not published a recommendation regarding welding fumes in general. Therefore, they fall under the Particulates Not Otherwise Regulated category. The ACGIH recommendation, in this case, is a TLV-TWA of 3mg/m3 for respirable particles and 10mg/m3 for inhalable particles.
- Aluminum
- Antimony
- Arsenic
- Beryllium
- Cadmium
- Chromium
- Cobalt
- Copper
- Iron Oxide
- Lead
- Manganese
- Molybdenum
- Nickel
- Silver
- Tin, organic
- Tin oxide & inorganic
- Titanium
- Vanadium
- Zinc Oxide
- Argon*
- Carbon Dioxide
- Carbon Monoxide
- Helium*
- Hydrogen Fluoride
- Nitric Oxide
- Nitrogen*
- Nitrogen Dioxide
- Ozone
- Phosgene
* A concentration limit is not included because available oxygen is the limiting factor.
Health risks associated with breathing welding fumes
According to OSHA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the CNESST (Quebec), breathing welding fumes could cause the following health effects:
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Dizziness and nausea
- Breathing difficulties that could lead to suffocation or asphyxiation
- Metal fume fever
- Lung damage and various types of cancer
- Stomach ulcers
- Kidney damage
- Nervous system damage
- Manganism
- Chest pain
- Asthma
- Bleedings
- Dermatitis or eczema
- Kidney disease
- Bone and joint disorders
- Siderosis (iron oxide in lung tissue after inhalation)
- Stannosis (tin oxide in lung tissue after inhalation)
- Anthracosis (poisoning after inhalation of carbon dust)
- Berylliosis (poisoning after inhalation of beryllium dust)
- Accumulation of fluid in the lungs
These are good reasons to protect welders, meet the standards, and even extract pollutants as efficiently as possible. Welding fume extractors will be the best way to do so.
To learn more about welding fume regulations in another Canadian province or territory, feel free to use one of the links below to be directed to our article on the subject:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- New Brunswick
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
3 Ways to Take a First Step Towards a Fume-Free Environment
1 – Attend Our Webinar

2 – Request our Compact Guide “30 Expert Tips for Eliminating Fume”
You will also receive information about regulations, success stories, tips to choose the right fume extractor.
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3 – Contact Us
We would be pleased to help you protect your welders and comply with current standards. We travel everywhere in Canada and the United States for free demos.
1-800-922-2522
info@henlex.com
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