Effects of Electric Arc Welding on Ventilatory Lung Function

Abstract

Respiratory symptoms, spirometry, forced expiratory flows, and the nitrogen closing volume test were studied in 119 welders and 90 controls, matched with respect to age, height, and smoking habits. Respiratory symptoms according to a questionnaire were more prevalent in the welders. No short-term changes of the measured variables during the day or week attributable to welding were found in twenty-one nonsmoking welders. Compared to the controls, closing volume and closing capacity (i. e., closing volume + residual volume) were significantly higher, and total lung capacity and the amplitude of the cardiogenic oscillations in the nitrogen curve were significantly lower in the welders who were nonsmokers or exsmokers, whereas there were no differences among smokers. These findings in welders may be attributable to deposition of welding fume particles in peripheral small airways or alveoli.

Respiratory symptoms, across-shift lung function changes and lifetime exposures of welders in New Zealand

“…Work-related symptoms were common in this study population, and work-related cough was found to be more frequent among the cussent welders than among the nonwelders. Although still a matter of controversy, chronic bronchitis is known to be associated with occupations involving exposure to dusts (15), and many studies have clearly documented an excess of these symptoms for current welders (13,14,(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) and sheet metal workers exposed to welding fumes (21).…”

A retrospective cohort study of mortality among stainless steel welders.

“…The frequency of smokers varies between 37 and 56 Ofo in different groups of welders in Sweden (13,15,16,17). In different studies of the male population in Sweden the percentage of smokers has varied between 46 and 54 (8,18,24).…”

“…Stainless steel is an alloy which contains mainly iron but also chromium (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) and nickel (0.5-20 Ofo). The electrodes used contain about the same amount of chromium and nickel.…”

Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-89-040-2012, MDT/Castle, Rochester, New York.

“…Previous studies 13,14,15 have noted a variety of acute and chronic health problems associated with arc welding, which have not clearly been attributable to any single metal fume or gas exposure, but which may be related to the combined effects of different exposures created by arc welding. Some metal fumes and gases generated by welding are respiratory irritants, and symptoms of eye, nose, and throat irritation, as well as cough and phlegm production, have been reported by welders in association with their work shift.…”

“…Based on these reviews, a NIOSH environmental sampling protocol was established to focus on the welding operations. Environmental monitoring was performed on February [14][15]1989. Results of the environmental monitoring were forwarded to the company and union officials on July 13,1989.…”