Pulmonary Adverse Effects of Welding Fume in Automobile Assembly Welders
Sharifian، Seyed Akbar نويسنده Department of Occupational Medicine, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Sharifian, Seyed Akbar , Loukzadeh، Ziba نويسنده Industrial Diseases Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran , , Shojaoddiny-Ardekani، Ahmad نويسنده Yazd Diabetes Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran , , Aminian، Omid نويسنده Department of Occupational Medicine, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran. ,
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 assesses 43 male welders and 129 office workers by a questionnaire to record demographic data, smoking habits, work history and respiratory symptoms as well as lung function status by spirometry. The average pulmonary function values of welders were lower relative to controls with dose-effect relationship between work duration and pulmonary function impairment. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was higher in welders than controls. Our findings suggest that welders are at risk for pulmonary disease.