title: Internal exposure, effect monitoring, and lung function in welders after acute short-term exposure to welding fumes from different welding processes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, the effect of short-term exposure to welding fumes emitted by different welding techniques on workers was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a 3-fold crossover study, six welders used three different welding techniques for 3 hours. Before and after welding, blood and urine samples were collected to perform biomonitoring of metals. Breath condensate was collected to assess inflammatory reactions, and lung function measurements were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Welding led to a significant increase of chromium and nickel in blood and urine and of nitrate and nitrite in exhaled breath condensate. These increases were higher for manual metal arc welding with alloyed material (MAW-a). Several lung function parameters decreased after welding. This decrease was significantly higher after MAW-a.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In respect to biological effects, MAW-a seems to be more important than other welding techniques.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany. PBrand@ukaachen.de
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gube
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gerards
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bertram
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaminski
authors.forename: Astrid Christiane
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: John
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuhlbusch
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wiemann
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eisenbeis
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kraus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000633:toxicity*; D001944:Breath Tests; D002857:Chromium / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis; D009573:Nitrites / Q000032:analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*; D053495:Osteopontin / Q000097:blood; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D014896:Welding / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D002857:Chromium; D053495:Osteopontin; C002744:3-nitrotyrosine; D014443:Tyrosine; D009532:Nickel; D007501:Iron