Very useful information. Iron, regular steel are not that hazardous, but as you said, other metals are more hazardous. Metal fume fever is caused by repeated long term highe exposue to many welding metals. The average DIYer is not really at risk of this. Of greater concern, as you said, are the galvanizing coatings which may contain some very toxic metals (lead, cadmium), or stainless steel which contains very toxic chromium.

On another note.. while we continue our discussion of hazards associated with working on cars, I was suprized when looking through my MBZ manuals, in preparation for a valve job, to find that the exhaust valves have their core filled with sodium....no, not sodium chloride (table salt)....but pure sodium metal...apparently it acts as a heat sink to protect the valves (neat idea). DO NOT TRY TO ACCESS THIS STUFF BY SAWING OR GRINDING INTO A VALVE....THIS STUFF IS PROBABLY THE MOST DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE IN THE CAR...AND I MEAN REALLY, REALLY DANGEROUS. IT REACTS WITH WATER TO EXPLODE VIOLENTLY SENDING OUT FLAMES, SHRAPNEL, MOLTEN METAL...LEAVE THE EXHAUST VALVES INTACT!!!

MARK

__________________
1984 300TD Wagon, 407,800 mi (current daily driver)
1985 300DT Sedan, 330,000 mi (gone to that great autobahn in the sky)