Occupational exposure to dust and to fumes, work as a welder and invasive pneumococcal disease risk

Abstract

ObjectivesOccupational exposures to metal fumes have been associated with increased pneumonia risk, but the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) has not been characterised previously.MethodsWe studied 4438 cases aged 20–65 from a Swedish registry of invasive infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The case index date was the date the infection was diagnosed. Six controls for each case, matched for gender, age and region of residency, were selected from the Swedish population registry. Each control was assigned the index date of their corresponding case to define the study observation period. We linked cases and controls to the Swedish registries for socioeconomic status (SES), occupational history and hospital discharge. We applied a job–exposure matrix to characterise occupational exposures. We used conditional logistic analyses, adjusted for comorbidities and SES, to estimate the OR of IPD and the subgroup pneumonia–IPD, associated with selected occupations and exposures in the year preceding the index date.ResultsWelders manifested increased risk of IPD (OR 2.99, 95% CI 2.09 to 4.30). Occupational exposures to fumes and silica dust were associated with elevated odds of IPD (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.21 and OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.58, respectively). Risk associated with IPD with pneumonia followed a similar pattern with the highest occupational odds observed among welders and among silica dust exposed.ConclusionWork specifically as a welder, but also occupational exposures more broadly, increase the odds for IPD. Welders, and potentially others with relevant exposures, should be offered pneumococcal vaccination.

The risk of respiratory tract infections and antibiotic use in a general population and among people with asthma

“…Other studies have, however, found that certain kinds of occupational exposures increase the risk of pneumonia [57].…”

“…No significant association between occupational exposure divided into agents with different molecular weights and respiratory tract infections or use of antibiotics was found in the previous studies. Other studies have, however, found that certain kinds of occupational exposures increase the risk of pneumonia [ 57 ].…”

Global infectious disease risks associated with occupational exposure among non-healthcare workers: a systematic review of the literature

“…Occupational exposure to welding fumes, silica dust 5 The mapping of studies per world region was as follows: Europe And Central Asia (n=75), East Asia and Pacific (n=67), North America (n=38), sub-Saharan Africa (n=33), Latin America and Caribbean (n=28), Middle East and North Africa (n=18) and South Asia (n=11). Thus, most studies were administered in Europe and Central Asia (27.8%), followed by East Asia and Pacific (24.8%), North America (14.1%) and sub-Saharan Africa (12.2%) (https:// ourworldindata.…”

An occupational exposure limit for welding fumes is urgently needed

“…Several epidemiological studies have shown an increased frequency of pneumonia among welders. Welding fumes have also been associated with invasive pneumococcal disease (16). Exposure estimates associated with asthma and pneumonia are lacking.…”