re: Carcenogenic gasless wire
Perhaps there may be some misinformation regarding the withdrawal of Gasless wire. Common sense should tell us at least to wear a respirator, to keep our big heads out of the fume column and have a big fan behind us to disipate the fume.
In gasless wire known as FCAW ( Flux Core Arc Welding ) to the trade the nasties are are in the flux material from the wire core.It can have Manganese content which is definately Carcenogenic and exceeds Manganese content in the wire metallurgy.The trade cope with this by isloating the welders breating zone from the fume. As well as the above many industrial torches have fume suction units built into them notably the Lincolns.
Good information may be obtained from the MSDS sheets that are available from the sellers of your particular brand of name brand gasless wire.
If it is truly being withdrawn it will be from the DIY market where some ( notice I said some ) operators tend to let their own safety slide and blame mishaps on the manufacturer. I doubt very strongly if it will go from the industrial market as it is very cost effective and therefore it use is very widespread.
Those using stainless or nickel based wire will find a look in the appropriate MSDS sheet beneficial.You think gasless wire is bad, look at the stainless.
Grahame Collins