Update of a meta-analysis on lung cancer and welding

Abstract

The following articles refer to this text: 2007;33(5): 379-386; 2008;34(6):444-450

Risk of lung cancer according to mild steel and stainless steel welding

“…This finding is consistent with that of a Swedish study that indicated that welders exposed to high levels of chromium have a higher risk for cancer of the trachea, bronchus, and lung than welders exposed to low levels of chromium (2, 3) and those of several other studies (26). Furthermore, the finding is biologically highly plausible (25), and the association did not disappear when smoking and asbestos exposure was adjusted for in the survival analysis (6,18,22). To test the hypothesis of higher risk for stainless steel welders, it seemed the most sensible to compare all welders that had been welding with stainless steel alloys, with only mild steel welders, even though many stainless steel welders were also mild steel welders.…”

“…The increased risk of lung cancer among mild steel welders is consistent with those found in a large number of earlier studies summarized in meta-analyses with updates (4,18,22). Earlier studies have found no clear indications that the risk is related to various measures of welding exposure (18).…”

“…Earlier studies have found no clear indications that the risk is related to various measures of welding exposure (18). In addition, this study did not Sørensen et al reveal any clear relation between lung cancer risk and the estimate of exposure to fume particulates.…”

“…Welding fume was classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (group 2B) (13). Since then, about 20 epidemiologic studies have been published corroborating an association between welding fume exposure and lung cancer, as well as other respiratory cancers, such as nasal cancer and larynx cancer (1,5,6,(17)(18)(19)(20)(21).…”

Human inhalation exposure to iron oxide particles

“…Interestingly, more recent occupational studies of welders overlook iron oxide, focusing on other workplace hazards such as asbestos, hexavalent chromium, and manganese [30]. The lung effects including carcinogenicity of welding fumes have been reviewed in depth and current evidence points to co-exposure with known carcinogens (i.e., asbestos, Cr, Mg, Ni) as a possible explanation for elevated cancer risk [26,31].…”