title: Small airways function in aluminium and stainless steel welders.
abstract: The effect of welding fumes on small airways was studied in 25 male subjects who welded in aluminium (Al) and to some extent also in stainless steel (SS). Despite a low exposure to welding fumes as compared to the permissible exposure limits, excretion of Al in urine was found to be increased in all subjects (median value: 0.29 mmol/mol creatinine on Friday afternoon, as compared to an upper reference level of 0.10 mmol/mol creatinine). In addition, the welders displayed increased prevalences of work-related eye and airways (pharyngitis and non-specific bronchial hyperreactivity) symptoms, as compared to 25 matched controls. Short-term welders (< or = 2.5 years) had more symptoms related to the upper airways than did long-term welders, which may indicate a selection. Spirometry, closing volume and volume of trapped gas (VTG) did not deviate. However, after methacholine inhalation, the long-term welders had a significantly steeper slope of the alveolar plateau on the single-breath nitrogen wash-out test, and a slight increase in VTG, as compared to the short-term welders and the controls. These findings may indicate a welding fume-induced increase in the reactivity of the small airways. Because Al welding was far more frequent than SS welding, an association with the former seems likely.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dahlqvist
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Welinder
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Thomassen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alexandersson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skerfving
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000535:Aluminum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014896:Welding
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust; D013193:Stainless Steel; D000535:Aluminum