Original poster: "Godfrey Loudner" <ggreen@xxxxxxxx>
How do welders protect themselves from thoriated welding rods?
Godfrey Loudner
Original poster: David Speck <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Joe,
The objection to the use of thoriated gap elements is that thorium is
a naturally radioactive alpha particle emitter. There is a small but
measurable amount of gap erosion during TC operation, with some of
that electrode material being converted to fine airborne radioactive
dust. I think that many coilers are willing to sacrifice a small amount
of
gap efficiency to reduce the risk of lung cancer.
Dave