Occupational asthma caused by stainless steel welding fumes: a clinical study

Hannu, Timo; Piipari, Ritva; Tuppurainen, Matti; Nordman, Henrik; Tuomi, Timo

doi:10.1183/09031936.00058106

Cited by 32 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Despite some improvement in the working conditions and welders' use of respiratory protective equipment, such as motorized respirators, workers are still exposed to fumes produced by co-workers, when they themselves perform tasks other than welding. The pulmonary health effects related to the exposure to welding fumes including chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, metal fume fever, and lung function changes are gene rally well-known [3,5]. However, a growing concern for cardiovascular health effects has emerged, as several studies have reported an increased mortality risk of ischemic heart disease among welders [2,[6][7][8][9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inflammatory response to acute exposure to welding fumes during the working day

Järvelä¹,

Kauppi²,

Tuomi³

et al. 2013

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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Objectives: To investigate cardiorespiratory and inflammatory responses in male workers following exposure to welding fumes and airborne particles in actual workplace conditions. Materials and Methods: We measured blood leukocytes and their differential counts, platelet count, hemoglobin, sensitive C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, E-selectin, IL-(interleukin)1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and endothelin-1 in blood samples of twenty workers before and after their working day. We also studied peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1 ), and exhaled nitric oxide (NO). We assessed heart rate variability (HRV) by obtaining 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiograms. Results: The total blood leukocytes and neutrophils increased after the work shift, whereas IL-1β and E-selectin decreased significantly. There were no statistically significant changes in exhaled NO, FEV 1 , PEF or HRV. Conclusion: Occupational exposure to welding fumes and particles caused a slight, acute inflammatory effect estimated based on the increased values of leukocytes and neutrophils in blood and a decrease in the interleukin 1β and E-selectin values, but no changes in the pulmonary function (exhaled NO, FEV 1 , PEF) or HRV during the working day were observed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inflammatory response to acute exposure to welding fumes during the working day

Järvelä¹,

Kauppi²,

Tuomi³

et al. 2013

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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“…In a clinical study on occupational asthma due to welding fumes from stainless steel, it was found that in addition to respiratory symptoms, 21 (62%) patients also had nasal or laryngeal symptoms related to welding fumes [8]. A questionnaire study among 351 welders showed that 40.5% of the respondents had at least one nasal symptom related to welding [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Incidence of rhinitis and asthma related to welding in Northern Europe

et al. 2015

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Welding-related asthma is well recognised but less is known about rhinitis in relation to welding. The aim here, was to study associations between welding, rhinitis and asthma in a general population sample, and factors influencing selection into and out of a welding occupation.Adult-onset asthma and non-infectious rhinitis were investigated in the international multicentre population-based Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE) study, including 16 191 responders aged 26-54 years. Ever welding (n=2181), welding >25% of working time (n=747), and welding in stainless steel >6 months (n=173) were assessed by questionnaire. Subjects with rhinitis or asthma onset when aged <18 years were excluded. Incidence rates for asthma and rhinitis were calculated from year of disease onset, and start and end of welding job. Cox's proportional hazard models adjusting for age, sex, parental education and study centre, and Kaplan-Meier curves were used.Rhinitis incidence was higher among welders (hazard ratio (HR) 1.4, 95% CI 1.3-1.6), consistent in men and women, and across centres ( pheterogeneity=0.4). In men, asthma incidence was higher among welders (HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.04-1.97). Quitting welding was indicated higher after adult-onset rhinitis (HR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.3).Adult-onset rhinitis and asthma was higher among welders, consistent across population samples from Northern Europe. No pre-employment selection was found, whereas selection out of welding jobs was suggested. @ERSpublications Welding activity increases risk of development of rhinitis, highlighting concerns in this occupation

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“…The common complaints of the welders were cough, asthma, morning phlegm, fever and lethargy particularly after returning from vacation (12). Hannu et al also reported asthma as the most common complaint in welders (7). According to table 4 forced vital capacity mean, forced expiratory volume in the first second, the ratio of the forced expiratory volume in the first second to the forced vital capacity, maximum expiratory flow, the maximum volume of air per minute, slow vital capacity, current volume, inspiratory and expiratory reserve volume in the welders group were significantly less than those of the control group (P < 0.01).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Comparative Study of Lung Functional Tests in Zahedan Welders

2013

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Background: Welding is defined as linking two metals with a local conjunction in sufficient thermal, pressing and metallurgical condition. There are several methods for linking two metals in welding. Objectives: Welding is one of the professional jobs in Iran, yet there have not been considerable studies on its harmful effects. The current study aimed to compare lung functional tests between welders and non-welders. Patients and Methods: A descriptive-analytical study was done on 110 subjects including: 55 welders (as case group) and 55 non-welders (as control group) in Zahedan, Iran. Samples were selected non-randomly. All spirometric indices were examined in both groups and reported as Mean ± SD and analyzed by appropriate statistical tests by SPSS software. Results:The data indicated that all measured spirometric indices decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in welders compared to the control group. Also, reverse relation was observed between welding history and lung functional tests (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Fume inhalation resulted from metal welding can lead to inappropriate changes in lung tissue and respiratory complication which finally cause symptoms as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Keywords: Electricity; Welding; Spirometry; Lung Capacity; Respiratory Function Tests Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education: In This paper, effect of welding fumes has been studied on lung function tests by spirometry. Potential risks of these fumes become apparent on body tissues and organs.

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Occupational asthma caused by stainless steel welding fumes: a clinical study

Cited by 32 publications

References 20 publications

Inflammatory response to acute exposure to welding fumes during the working day

Inflammatory response to acute exposure to welding fumes during the working day

Incidence of rhinitis and asthma related to welding in Northern Europe

Comparative Study of Lung Functional Tests in Zahedan Welders

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