Influence of Welding Fume on Systemic Iron Status

Abstract

Iron is the major metal found in welding fumes, and although it is an essential trace element, its overload causes toxicity due to Fenton reactions. To avoid oxidative damage, excess iron is bound to ferritin, and as a result, serum ferritin (SF) is a recognized biomarker for iron stores, with high concentrations linked to inflammation and potentially also cancer. However, little is known about iron overload in welders. Within this study, we assessed the iron status and quantitative associations between airborne iron, body iron stores, and iron homeostasis in 192 welders not wearing dust masks. Welders were equipped with personal samplers in order to determine the levels of respirable iron in the breathing zone during a working shift. SF, prohepcidin and other markers of iron status were determined in blood samples collected after shift. The impact of iron exposure and other factors on SF and prohepcidin were estimated using multiple regression models. Our results indicate that respirable iron is a significant predictor of SF and prohepcidin. Concentrations of SF varied according to the welding technique and respiratory protection used, with a median of 103 μg l(-1) in tungsten inert gas welders, 125 μg l(-1) in those wearing air-purifying respirators, and 161 μg l(-1) in other welders. Compared to welders with low iron stores (SF < 25 μg l(-1)), those with excess body iron (SF ≥ 400 μg l(-1)) worked under a higher median concentration of airborne iron (60 μg m(-3) versus 148 μg m(-3)). Even though air concentrations of respirable iron and manganese were highly correlated, and low iron stores have been reported to increase manganese uptake in the gastrointestinal tract, no correlation was seen between SF and manganese in blood. In conclusion, monitoring SF may be a reasonable method for health surveillance of welders. Respiratory protection with air-purifying respirators can decrease iron exposure and avoid chronically higher SF in welders working with high-emission technologies.

Occupational Exposure to Manganese and Fine Motor Skills in Elderly Men: Results from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study

“…In brief, hemoglobin (Hb) was measured with a STKR hematology analyzer (Beckman Coulter, Krefeld, Germany) and serum ferritin (SF), using the BN II nephelometer (Siemens Healthcare, Eschborn, Germany). We considered the Fe status as low if Hb < 13 g dl −1 and high if SF ≥ 400 µg l −1 (Casjens et al, 2014). Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) was determined with the ADVIA 1650 chemistry analyzer (Siemens Healthcare).…”

“…This tight regulation is reflected in a weak correlation between the systemic burden with Mn and Fe and with the parent metal concentration in welding fumes (Pesch et al, 2012). Occupational exposure to metal fumes may cause dyshomeostasis in the systemic concentrations of both these metals, also liver dysfunction contributes to elevated blood levels (Rovira et al, 2008;Pesch et al, 2012;Casjens et al, 2014).…”

Outlining a Population “at Risk” of Parkinson’s Disease: Evidence from a Case-Control Study

“…Unfortunately, here we did not examine the eating habits and the taking of industrially derived foods, which may similarly contain traces of toxicants or abnormal concentrations of metals and minerals. However, since both the environmental pollution and nutrition can modify physiological body levels of metals [ 16 , 20 – 23 ], we measured serum concentration of iron, copper, mercury, and manganese as indexes of environmental toxicants exposure, but we did not find significant differences between PD and controls.…”

“…Compelling evidence demonstrated the role of iron, copper, manganese, and mercury in the pathogenesis of PD [ 12 – 17 ] and a number of studies showed abnormal metal serum levels in PD patients [ 18 , 19 ]. Since both the environmental pollution and the eating habits may affect the metal concentrations [ 16 , 20 – 23 ], such levels could be measured as an index of toxicants exposure. Here we explored serum levels of iron, copper, manganese, and mercury aimed at identifying further elements supporting the PD-risk stratification.…”

Usefulness of Biomarkers in Work-Related Airway Disease

“…Airborne iron may be responsible for siderosis and lung cancer among welders [74, 75], and periodical quantitative assessment of serum ferritin (SF) has been proposed as a reasonable exposure biomarker in welders using high-emission technologies of respirable iron [76]. Evaluation of SF and serum transferrin levels has been also successfully applied in diagnosing methylene-di-isocyanate OA with a specificity of 85.7% [70] but not in toluene-di-isocyanate OA [77].…”