Welding fumes and ultraviolet radiation from welding have recently been classified as Group 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the World Health Organization’s specialized cancer agency. Group 1 carcinogens are those determined by IARC to carry sufficient evidence of human carcinogenicity.
Welding fumes, last assessed by IARC in 1989, were then classified as being possibly carcinogenic to humans based on limited epidemiological evidence. IARC has determined the reclassification to a Group 1 carcinogen is supported by substantial new scientific evidence from experimental and observational studies.
It is expected that IARC will publish its full assessment in IARC Monograph Volume 118 later in 2017. Industry will closely assess the Monograph to determine the strength and adequacy of the science IARC has relied on to reclassify welding fumes.
