An epidemiologic investigation of asthma in welders.

Abstract

To clarify whether asthma may be caused by fume from welding mild steel and to evaluate the possible strength of such an effect, we quantified airway responsiveness among young shipyard workers with different levels of fume exposure. Clinical investigation comprised a cross-sectional survey of 19- to 27-yr-old workers who were completing 3 to 9 yr of employment in various trades, and a control group of 15- to 17-yr-old school leavers who were applying for apprenticeships within the same trades. Both groups were subdivided into negligible-, ambient-, or high-exposure subgroups according to expected levels of fume exposure. Actual exposures were assessed in a parallel environmental survey. Participants were investigated by questionnaire, skin prick tests, spirometry, and methacholine tests. Complete data sets were obtained from 1,024 of the 1,070 eligible subjects (96%). Among the workers but not the school leaver controls, there was an increasing prevalence of positive methacholine tests across the exposure subgroups-negligible 37%, ambient 44%, high 49% (p < 0.05). Regression analyses showed that in males after allowing for the effects of atopy, current smoking, and age, the estimated geometric mean level of airway responsiveness of regular welders was twice that of workers with negligible exposure after 5 yr of work. This implies that fume exposure may have been critical in causing asthma in about 1% of the welders. A lesser effect (though not significantly so) was noted among the workers with ambient exposure.

Study of Work Related Respiratory Symptoms Among Welding Workers

“…Fumes or hazards produced during the welding process cause various health-related complications including respiratory disease and asthma. In this regard, previous studies have reported that fumes of welding exposure might be a cause of asthma [10][11][12]. In current finding, the incidence of respiratory disease was 20.45%.…”

Metal-induced asthma and chest X-ray changes in welders

“…Asthma was diagnosed in 124 of 246 new cases of occupational lung diseases in welders reported by Ross et al [18]. According to Beach et al [19], approximately 1% of welders were likely to develop occupational asthma after 5 years of work. Most studies estimated 2-3.2% of all cases of occupational asthma as welding related asthma.…”

En 39 år gammel mann med helårsrhinitt og akutt dyspné

“…Det har lenge vaert kjent at sveising på rustfritt stål gir økt risiko for astma. Man har imidlertid også funnet holdepunkter for at sveisere generelt har økt risiko for å utvikle irritantutløst astma (10).…”