PrefaceThis literature review has been prepared for the Safety and Health Committee of the American Welding Society to provide an assessment of current knowledge of the effects of welding on health@ as well as to aid in the formulation of a research program in this area@ as part of an ongoing program sponsored by the Committee. Previous work has included studies of fumes and gases@ radiation@ and noise generated during various forms of arc welding. Conclusions based on this review and recommendations for further research are presented in the introductory portions of the report. Appendix A of this report reviews AWS sponsored studies and others in order to clarify the occupational exposures that are summarized in Chapter 1. Chapters 2 and 3 contain information related to the effects of exposure to by products of welding operations on humans and on laboratory animals. Chapter 4 covers studies of the mutagenicity of welding fume condensate.