The recent reclassification of welding fume as “carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer has encouraged many to rethink their stance on welders’ respiratory protection.

An unprotected welder operating within Australian workplace exposure standards for general welding fume could be inhaling up to 11g of a known carcinogen every year.

The 3M Speedglas 9100 FX Air PAPR gives welders a required minimum protection factor of 50 – so the air supplied is at least 50 times cleaner than an unprotected welder would breathe. And that’s five times the protection from a correctly fitted disposable or reusable respirator worn under a welding helmet.

At the end of the welding job the user can simply flip up the welding lens to see through a perfectly clear, curved visor while maintaining respiratory protection.

The Speedglas 9100 FX Air Welding Helmet is available now from AWS. The company has published a Welding Fume White Paper with more information.

AWS
02 9439 0111
www.awsi.com.au