title: [Eye diseases in welders: a longitudinal study].
abstract: A follow-up study of chronic conjunctivitis in arc welders in a foundry in Italy was conducted from 1979 up to 1989. Airborne dust concentration in the foundry often exceeded the TLV-TWA limit. The frequency of chronic conjunctivitis was markedly higher amongst the welders than in the unexposed controls (RR = 4.25). The incidence rate of conjunctivitis was 49.8% in the exposed group; manual welders showed a higher incidence rate (56.9%) than non manual welders (risk ratio = 1.76). Ocular symptoms (eye burning, tearing, photophobia) often occurred largely before the development of chronic conjunctivitis (predictive value = 61.5%). In current occupational health practice, the disclosure of a high prevalence of ocular symptoms should lead to careful examination of the working environment.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Medicina del Lavoro, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Narda
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Magnavita
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sacco
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sarnari
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000209:etiology; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D014896:Welding
chemical_list: D004391:Dust
vernacular_title: Affezioni oculari nei saldatori: uno studio longitudinale.