Internal exposure, effect monitoring, and lung function in welders after acute short-term exposure to welding fumes from different welding processes.
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.
Brand
Peter
P
Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany. PBrand@ukaachen.de
Gube
Monika
M
Gerards
Kerstin
K
Bertram
Jens
J
Kaminski
Heinz
H
John
Astrid Christiane
AC
Kuhlbusch
Thomas
T
Wiemann
Martin
M
Eisenbeis
Christian
C
Winkler
Reinhard
R
Kraus
Thomas
T
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
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D002857:Chromium; D053495:Osteopontin; C002744:3-nitrotyrosine; D014443:Tyrosine; D009532:Nickel; D007501:Iron