Incidence of rhinitis and asthma related to welding in Northern Europe

Abstract

Welding-related asthma is well recognised but less is known about rhinitis in relation to welding. The aim here, was to study associations between welding, rhinitis and asthma in a general population sample, and factors influencing selection into and out of a welding occupation.Adult-onset asthma and non-infectious rhinitis were investigated in the international multicentre population-based Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE) study, including 16 191 responders aged 26-54 years. Ever welding (n=2181), welding >25% of working time (n=747), and welding in stainless steel >6 months (n=173) were assessed by questionnaire. Subjects with rhinitis or asthma onset when aged <18 years were excluded. Incidence rates for asthma and rhinitis were calculated from year of disease onset, and start and end of welding job. Cox's proportional hazard models adjusting for age, sex, parental education and study centre, and Kaplan-Meier curves were used.Rhinitis incidence was higher among welders (hazard ratio (HR) 1.4, 95% CI 1.3-1.6), consistent in men and women, and across centres ( pheterogeneity=0.4). In men, asthma incidence was higher among welders (HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.04-1.97). Quitting welding was indicated higher after adult-onset rhinitis (HR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.3).Adult-onset rhinitis and asthma was higher among welders, consistent across population samples from Northern Europe. No pre-employment selection was found, whereas selection out of welding jobs was suggested. @ERSpublications Welding activity increases risk of development of rhinitis, highlighting concerns in this occupation

An Investigation of Respiratory Symptoms and Spirometry Parameters of Welders in a Steel Industry

“…Our findings were supported by several studies (2,3,18). Our results revealed that respiratory symptoms amongst the welders' group were much more than in the non-welders group and phlegm, wheezing and cough symptoms were more common symptoms (5,6,23). In other studies by El-Zein et al, dry cough, shortness of breath, metallic taste and wheezing were common complaints among welders during the first days of the working week (3).…”

“…Work-related respiratory diseases have been well documented for welders in many studies (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7). Air pollutants released from welding activities are capable of initiating several acute and chronic respiratory effects.…”

Blue-collar work and women's health: A systematic review of the evidence from 1990 to 2015

“…Unsatisfactory leisure time was associated with decreased reported medical treatment or consultation for disorders of the shoulder (PR = 0.7, 95% CI 0.3–1.7). The REBUS Study High-Income ( Fredriksson et al, 1999 ) Longitudinal Duration of exposure, age, smoking, BMI, living alone with children, job strain, social support, stress Shoulder Disorders Exposure-outcome among blue-collar women Among female sewing machine operators, the risk of developing a shoulder disorder for those wit high versus low shoulder support (RR = 3.72, 95% CI 1.22–11.30), increased neck-shoulder pain scores (RR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.05), smoking (RR = 3.93, 95% CI 1.33–11.58), and living alone with children (RR 3.58, 95% CI 0.87–14.68). Danish Project on Research and Intervention in Monotonous Work (PRIM Study) High-Income ( Kaergaard and Andersen, 2000 ) Longitudinal Job demand, job control, supervisor support, coworker support, age, work duration Work injury Exposure-outcome among blue-collar women The odds of work injury among blue-collar were increased among those with high job demand (OR = 1.30, SE = 0.08331).…”

“…Several studies assessed risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders among blue-collar women. Specific risk factors identified included psychological or physical strain ( Stokholm et al, 2013 , Storaas et al, 2015 , Strong and Zimmerman, 2005 , Taiwo et al, 2008 , Takao et al, 2003 , Takezaki et al, 2001 , Tessier-Sherman et al, 2014 ) uncomfortable or inadequate work arrangements ( Stokholm et al, 2013 , Strong and Zimmerman, 2005 , Thilsing et al, 2012 , Thompson et al, 2005 ); age ( Tsai et al, 1997 , Takao et al, 2003 , Takezaki et al, 2001 ); tenure ( Strong and Zimmerman, 2005 , Tsai et al, 1997 , Takao et al, 2003 ); household arrangement ( Stokholm et al, 2013 , Thilsing et al, 2012 ); and sitting time ( Hallman, Gupta, Mathiassen, & Holtermann, 2015 ). The majority of these studies were conducted either in Scandinavian countries (e.g.…”

Do chronic workplace irritant exposures cause asthma?

“…However, it remains difficult to distinguish occupational asthma from work exacerbated asthma symptoms or occupational COPD among smelters 39,41 . In a recent longitudinal study in Northern Europe (RHINE), incidence of asthma and rhinitis were associated with welding 42 .…”