Exposure to welding fumes is associated with acute systemic inflammatory responses.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the acute systemic inflammatory response to welding fume exposure.


METHODS
Twenty four welders (42% smokers) and 13 non-exposed controls (23% smokers) were monitored at a welding school. Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was assessed using cyclone samplers. Markers of systemic inflammation, including C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and white blood cell (WBC) levels, were determined in peripheral blood samples collected at baseline and after 5.3 (SD 1.0) hours of exposure.


RESULTS
The median PM2.5 concentration for welders was 1.66 mg/m3, which was significantly greater than that for controls (0.04 mg/m3). Compared to non-smokers, smokers had a significantly higher baseline WBC count, but comparable levels of CRP and fibrinogen. In non-smokers, welding fume exposure was associated with a significant increase in WBC and neutrophil counts immediately following exposure (+0.8x10(3)/mul, 95% CI 0.1 to 1.6, and +1.0x10(3)/mul, 95% CI 0.4 to 1.7, respectively). A significant decrease in fibrinogen levels was observed in non-smokers (-32 mg/dl, 95% CI -63 to -1). No significant changes in WBC, neutrophil, and fibrinogen levels were found in smokers. Sixteen hours after welding exposure, CRP levels were found to be significantly increased in both non-smokers and smokers (0.90 mg/l, 95% CI 0.17 to 1.64). PM2.5 concentrations were found to be significantly associated with absolute neutrophil counts in non-smokers, and CRP levels in both non-smokers and smokers.


CONCLUSIONS
High levels of welding fume exposure induce acute systemic inflammation in a relatively young, healthy working population. These results also suggest that smoking may modify the effect of welding fume exposure on specific inflammatory markers.
Kim
J Y
JY
Department of Environmental Health, Occupational Health Program, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Chen
J-C
JC
Boyce
P D
PD
Christiani
D C
DC
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000633:toxicity*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood; D014896:Welding
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D015415:Biomarkers; D012906:Smoke; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
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