Metal fume fever, commonly called zinc chills, is caused by welding on what material?

Metal fume fever, often referred to as zinc chills, occurs when welding on galvanized steel. This condition arises when zinc oxide fumes are inhaled during the welding process. Galvanized steel is coated with zinc to prevent corrosion, and when heated, the zinc vaporizes and can be released into the air. This inhalation can lead to flu-like symptoms, which are indicative of metal fume fever.

Consequently, although aluminum, stainless steel, and copper can pose their own health hazards related to fumes or gases, they do not produce the same zinc oxide fumes that are specifically associated with galvanized steel. Thus, welding on galvanized steel is uniquely tied to the development of metal fume fever, making it the right choice for this question.