Prevalence and association of welding related systemic and respiratory symptoms in welders

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of welding related respiratory symptoms coexisting with welding related systemic symptoms in welders is unknown. Aims: To determine in a sample of welders the prevalence of coexisting welding related systemic symptoms indicative of metal fume fever (MFF) and welding related respiratory symptoms suggestive of occupational asthma (OA), and the strength and significance of any association between these two groups of symptoms. Methods: A respiratory symptoms questionnaire, a systemic symptoms questionnaire, and a questionnaire on occupational history were administered by telephone to 351 of a sample of 441 welders (79.6%) from two cities in Québec, Canada. Results: The co-occurrence of possible MFF (defined as having at least two symptoms of fever, feelings of flu, general malaise, chills, dry cough, metallic taste, and shortness of breath, occurring at the beginning of the working week, 3-10 hours after exposure to welding fumes) together with welding related respiratory symptoms suggestive of OA (defined as having at least two welding related symptoms of cough, wheezing, and chest tightness) was 5.8%. These two groups of symptoms were significantly associated (χ 2 = 18.9, p < 0.001). Conclusion: There is a strong association between welding related MFF and welding related respiratory symptoms suggestive of OA. As such, MFF could be viewed as a pre-marker of welding related OA, a hypothesis that requires further investigation.

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

“…In this study, the prevalence of welding-related respiratory morbidity indicative of asthma, defined as the presence of symptoms of persistent cough, wheezing, phlegm and chest tightness, was high (18.4%). 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).…”

“…As age and work experience increased in welders group, lung function values were depressed. According to this finding, several studies claimed the same outcomes (3,16,24). Several studies mentioned that welding could cause respiratory morbidity such as asthma (25).…”

“…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.…”

Respiratory Symptoms, Immunological Changes, Ventilatory Capacity, and Bronchial Responsiveness in Welders

“…As Antonini indicates, a large number of welders experience some type of respiratory illness, such as airway irritation, metal fume fever, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, siderosis and other pulmonary fibrosis (chronic beryllium disease, cobalt lung), lung function changes, an increase in severity, duration, and frequency of pulmonary infections, as well as a possible increase in the incidence of lung cancer. In addition, workplace exposure to welding fumes and gases may also lead to neurological, reproductive, and dermal effects [4,5].…”

Metal-induced asthma and chest X-ray changes in welders

“…We also identified the first well documented case of manganese-induced occupational asthma, which was described elsewhere [20]. In many studies [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] an excess decline in pulmonary function in groups of welders over periods of occupational exposure and presence of pulmonary changes was described. The interesting observation were also pulmonary changes in chest X-ray in the study group.…”