title: Detection of occult lung impairment in welders by induced sputum particles and breath oxidation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We evaluated particulate matter in combined induced sputum (IS) and oxidation in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) to test whether underlying inflammatory changes are present in asymptomatic welders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty welders from the Israel Defense Forces exposed to aluminum/iron (Group 1) or to cadmium/chromium/iron/lead/nickel (Group 2, N = 16) and 27 non-exposed administrators were studied. IS was recovered, particle size distribution, hydrogen peroxide and pH were measured, and exhaled breath condensate was collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group 2 had a higher % neutrophils than all other participants (P = 0.0001) and a higher % particles >2 microm in diameter (P = 0.0017). Percent particles and years of exposure highly correlated (P = 0.051). All welders EBC samples had higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide than controls (P = 0.0001). pH was lower only for Group 2 (P = 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combined IS and EBC measurements detect underlying inflammation in airways of asymptomatic welders. It emerged that airway inflammation is present in asymptomatic welders, and that the particle burden, inflammatory cells, and level of oxidative stress are a function of the type and the duration of welding. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:503-511, 2008.
authors.affiliation: The Institute of Pulmonary and Allergic Diseases, National Laboratory Service for ILD, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel. fireman@tasmc.health.gov.il
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fireman
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lerman
authors.forename: Moshe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stark
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Eliezer
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ganor
authors.forename: Nili
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Grinberg
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Frimer
authors.forename: Dan Avi
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Landau
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zilberberg
authors.forename: Erez
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barenboim
authors.forename: Reuben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jacovovitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D045853:Exhalation; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000032:analysis; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007557:Israel; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D013183:Sputum / Q000737:chemistry*; D014896:Welding; D000078329:Workforce
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D052638:Particulate Matter; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide