Occupational asthma (OA) can be induced by fumes of manual metal-arc welding on stainless steel. In recent years, the use of special stainless steels (SSS) with high chromium content has increased. This study presents two cases of OA caused by manual metal-arc welding on SSS. In both cases, the diagnosis of OA was based on respiratory symptoms, occupational exposure and positive findings in the...

Welding is one of the key components of numerous manufacturing industries, which has potential physical and chemical health hazards. Many components of welding fumes can potentially affect the lung function. This study investigates the effects of welding fumes on lung function and respiratory symptoms among welders of an automobile manufacturing plant in Iran. This historical cohort study asses...

BACKGROUND Welders are at risk for cardiovascular disease. Recent studies linked tobacco smoke exposure to hypomethylation of the F2RL3 (coagulation factor II (thrombin) receptor-like 3) gene, a marker for cardiovascular disease prognosis and mortality. However, whether welding fumes cause hypomethylation of F2RL3 remains unknown. METHODS We investigated 101 welders (median span of working as...

This literature review, with 232 citations, was prepared under contract to the American Welding Society for its Safety and Health Committee. The review deals with studies of the fumes, gases radiation, and noise generated during various arc welding processes. Section 1 summarizes recent studies of occupational exposures, Section 2 contains information related to the human health effects, and Se...

BACKGROUND Brain tumor etiology is poorly understood. Based on their ability to pass through the blood-brain barrier, it has been hypothesized that exposure to metals may increase the risk of brain cancer. Results from the few epidemiological studies on this issue are limited and inconsistent. METHODS We investigated the relationship between glioma risk and occupational exposure to five metal...

The purpose of this study was to estimate the risk of adult asthma in relation to certain occupational exposures. The study was designed as a case-control study in Göteborg, including 321 subjects with asthma, born between 1926 and 1970. Controls (n=1,459) were randomly selected from the same area from registers of the 1986 population. Questionnaire information was collected in 1996, and includ...

Disruption of normal respiratory function is associated with occupational disorders. Exposure to welding fumes on long term basis affects the lung function of the workers and prompts allergic responses. Therefore, the aim of the study was to manifest the association of exposure to welding fumes and respiratory complications with reference to the undermining of normal lung function and respirato...

Occupational exposure to welding fumes causes a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease; however, the association remains unclear. To clarify the possible association, exposure assessment of metal fumes with an aerodynamic diameter of <2.5 μm (PM2.5) in welding and office areas was characterized in a shipyard in Taiwan. Cardiovascular toxicity caused by PM2.5 was determined in workers (in bo...