Look closer to welders’ lung

Özmen, İpek; Yıldırım, Elif; Yıldız, Reyhan; Ogun, Hamza; Aksoy, Emine; Törün, Tülay; Arbak, Peri; Çalişir, Haluk C.

doi:10.5578/tt.66752

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 10 publications

(18 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…These results agree with those reported in Iranian shipbuilding industrial factories (Mehrifar et al, 2019), Saudi Arabian welders (Al-Otaibi, 2014), and among welders in Beni Suef City (Abd-Alaleem et al, 2018). Another study on welders who were admitted to the hospital with respiratory symptoms; revealed that the most common symptoms among hospital admitted Turkish welders were cough, sputum production, and dyspnea (87%, 63%, and 63%; respectively) (Özmen et al, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Respiratory health disorders among workers in some Egyptian welding enterprises

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Welding fumes contain a complex mixture of metallic oxides that pose a risk to welders' respiratory systems. This study aimed to evaluate respiratory health disorders among workers in some Egyptian welding enterprises and their relationship to the workplace environment. This research was performed from January 1st, 2019 to February 28th, 2021 in welding enterprises in Birket El-Sabaa, a randomly selected district of Menoufia governorate, Egypt. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 110 welders and 110 non-occupationally exposed subjects. Environmental studies were carried out for total welding fumes, respirable dust, and manganese air levels. Spirometric measures and manganese levels in whole blood were applied. Analysis of the personal air samples revealed that the mean values of welding fumes, respirable dust, and manganese air levels were higher than the international permissible levels. Welders had a higher significant prevalence of respiratory manifestations (rhinitis, cough, expectoration, wheezes, dyspnea, and chronic bronchitis) as well as decreased spirometric measures (FVC%, FEV1%, FEV1/FVC%, and FEF25-75%) than controls. The mean value of whole blood manganese level was statistically significantly higher among welders than that of the controls (3.35 ± 0.5 and 1.81 ± 0.79 ng/mL; respectively). A significant relationship was reported between longer work time and the prevalence of respiratory manifestations and decreased spirometric measurements. The use of masks/respirators was associated with a reduced prevalence of respiratory manifestations. Finally, welders that are exposed to welding fumes at concentrations higher than the permissible levels in welding establishments suffer from adverse respiratory problems, as shown by increased prevalence of respiratory manifestations and lower spirometric measurements. Regular use of high-quality personal protective equipment, especially masks, as well as periodic medical examinations for welders, is highly urged.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Respiratory health disorders among workers in some Egyptian welding enterprises

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Studies have indicated that the use of respiratory protective equipment, the presence of adequate ventilation during welding activity, and exposure level were major factors associated with chronic respiratory symptoms among welders [ 10 , 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Welding fume exposure and prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among welders in micro- and small-scale enterprise in Akaki Kality sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study

Badima,

Kumie,

Meskele

et al. 2024

BMC Pulm Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Exposure to welding fumes can lead to different respiratory health disorders, including lung cancer, due to long-term exposures. In Ethiopia, large numbers of people are engaged in the welding sector. Often, these workers are exposed to welding fumes at their workplaces, however, the level of exposure and its health effects have never been studied. Objective To measure the level of personal welding fume exposure and assess chronic respiratory symptoms and associated factors, among micro and small-scale enterprise metal workshop workers, in Akaki Kality Sub city, Ethiopia. Methods A comparative cross-sectional study involving 226 welders and 217 controls. Chronic respiratory symptoms were assessed using a standardized questionnaire adopted from the American Thoracic Society (ATS). Welding fumes were collected from the welder’s breathing zone using 37 mm close-faced plastic cassettes fitted with Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) filters connected to Casella pumps at an airflow rate of 2 L/min. Result The overall prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among welders and controls were 54 (23.9%) and 20 (9.2%) respectively. The geometric mean and geometric standard deviation (GSD) of personal welding fume exposure, among welders was 5.98 mg/m3 (± GSD = 1.54). In this study, 53.3% of the samples exceeded the Occupational Exposure Limit defined by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygiene. Chronic respiratory symptoms were significantly associated with educational status (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 5.11, 95% CI: 1.35, 19.33), respiratory protective equipment use (AOR: 3.33, 95% CI: 1.52, 7.31), safety training (AOR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.10, 5.28), smoking (AOR:3.57, 95% CI: 1.54, 8.23), welding machine maintenance (AOR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.59) and welding site (i.e. indoors vs. outdoor) (AOR: 6.85. 95% CI: 2.36, 19.89). Conclusions The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among welding workers was significantly higher than controls. More than half of the samples exceeded the Occupational Exposure Limit. Educational status, implementation of safety training, and welding sites were significantly associated with chronic respiratory symptoms. The results suggested a need to reduce welding fume exposure to improve the respiratory health of the workers.

show abstract