Lung function of welders of zinc-coated mild steel: cross-sectional analysis and changes over five consecutive work shifts.
Spirometric lung-function measurements were conducted 5 days before and after the work shift of 11 welders of zinc-coated steel, ten nonwelders who were indirectly exposed to welding fumes, and 17 controls. The exposure to dust and zinc of all participants was monitored personally using PAS-6 samplers. Geometric mean concentrations for welders were 0.91 mg/m3 (dust) and 34.0 micrograms/m3 (zinc). Cross-sectional analysis of Monday morning values showed no differences in lung-function parameters between groups. However, the number of years the participants were engaged in welding was of borderline statistical significance and correlated negatively with values of FEV1 and FEV1/FVC. Changes in lung function over a work shift or a working week were not related to the exposure level.
Marquart
H
H
Department of Environmental and Tropical Health, Agricultural University of Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Smid
T
T
Heederik
D
D
Visschers
M
M
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014797:Vital Capacity; D014896:Welding; D015032:Zinc / Q000009:adverse effects*
D004391:Dust; D015032:Zinc