Particulate Fume Particulate fume consists of dust and particles created by the welding and cutting process.

It is often present in the workshop to some degree.

Particulate fume is made up of minute, discrete, solid particles, which range in size from 0.01 to 10 microns.  As the particles are generally less than 0.5 microns in diameter and most of the fume falls into the 'respirable' size range.  Respirable particulate fume can be breathed in, reach the lungs, and stay there.

Particulate fume is made up mainly of complex oxides and silicates of the metals present in the consumable and, to a lesser extent, the parent material being used.

Whether the fume is likely to cause damage depends largely on its precise composition, on the concentration breathed in and the length of exposure time to that specific pollutant.