Talk:Metal fume fever

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[edit] Hoax tag

Zinc fever is mentioned here [1] as an occupational hazard. Removing {{hoax}} tag. Dr Zak 15:00, 5 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Deadly?

"Since Jim Wilson's death, after being exposure to zinc fumes (specifically zinc oxide), this is yet another in depth search on the subject of fume fever (exposure to zinc oxide) I have included the URL's for your reference so you can read the whole article and evaluate the dangers for yourself.

It would seem that fume fever is not something I want to deal with again. My first exposure was the result of my lack of knowledge, and by overheating galvanized material. I discribed my flu like symptoms to Jim Wilson over the phone and he immediately said it as fume fever. In his next breath I got "the lecture" on safety and knowing the dangers of the materials I was dealing with as a blacksmith.

Jim Wilson, to the best of my knowledge, did not die due to breathing zinc fumes (zinc oxide). Jim had COPD* and I have seen first hand his impaired breathing. It is my non-medical opinion that the exposure to zinc fumes further weakened an already impaired resporatory system and pneumonia set in. From the zinc exposure to the time of death was about 2 weeks. Although, as best I can tell, zinc did not cause his death, the zinc fumes and COPD were, most likely, the primary contributing factors. Yes it is splitting hairs, but as best I can tell, zinc fumes (inhalation of zinc oxide) causing death is not correct. I can find no articles to support a build up of zinc in the body (heavy metal poisioning) from inhaliation of zinc fumes (zinc oxide). If you can provide me with a URL, please do, as I would be most interested." [2] -69.87.199.151 17:51, 7 May 2007 (UTC)

I don't know how bad the zinc is; my understanding was that it's unpleasant, but does not usually cause long-term problems. Other metals can be much more dangerous, though. I've heard that cadmium is particularly bad. 24.91.134.90 08:06, 20 September 2007 (UTC)