2003, Number 4
<< Back Next >>
Rev Inst Nal Enf Resp Mex 2003; 16 (4)
Pulmonary Function in Steel Welders, Arc-Inert Welding.
Romo SMG
Language: Spanish
References: 14
Page: 205-218
PDF size: 122.20 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The aim of this research was to detect the effects of the steel-welding inert-gas protected exposure in the pulmonary function measuring the activity’s influence, nicotinism habits and seniority.
Introduction: In the last years many studies have been carried out concerning steel welding fumes effects on welder’s health. The respiratory function has been one of the many studied effects, although the results have not been consistent.
Material and methods: The study was carried out in a male-welder population. The subjects were employees in the heavy-machine spare-parts manufacture in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The pulmonary function was evaluated by a MasterLab-Body; Erich Jaeger GmbH&CoKG 1992, 1993; following the acceptability and the reproducibiliness criterion acknowledged by the American Thoracic Society.
Result: The bidirectional analysis showed a significative effect in nicotinism contrary to exposure antecedents. The comparison of parameters of pulmonary function between groups of welders against the standard showed significative differences.
Conclusions: The result of this study does not corres-pond with the ones developed in other countries, where the labour-exposure effects in pulmonary function impairment seems not evident. The decrement of the pulmonary function registered in the welders studied is probably due to the noxious substances in the respiratory tract.
REFERENCES
Bradshaw LM, Fishwick D, Slater T, Pearce N. Chronic Bronchitis, Work Related Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Function in Welders in New Zealand. Occup Environ Med 1998;55:150-154.
Nakadate T, Aizawa Y, Yagami T, Yi-Qin Z, Kotani M, Ishiwata K. Change in Obstructive Pulmonary Function as a Result of Cumulative Exposure to Welding Fumes as determined by Magnetopneumography in Japanese Arc Welders. Occup Environ Med 1998;55:673-677.
Donoghue AM, Glass WI, Herbison GP. Transient Changes in the Pulmonary Function of Welders: a Cross Sectional Study of Monday Peak Expiratory Flow. Occup Environ Med 1994;51:553-556.
Contreras G, Chan-Yeung M. Bronchial Reactions to Exposure to Welding Fumes. Occup Environ Med 1997;54:836-839.
Edme JL, Shirali P, Mereau M, Sobaszek A, Boulenguez C, Diebold F, et al. Assessment of Biological Chromium among Stainless steel and Mild Steel Welders in relation to Welding Processes. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1997; 70:237-42.
Sobaszek A, Edme JL, Boulenguez C, Shirali P, Mereau M, Robin H, Haguenoer JM. Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function among stainless steel welders. JOEM 1994; 40: 223-9.
Chinn DJ, Cotes JE, El Gamal FM, Wollaston JF. Respiratory Health of young Shipyard Welders and other Tradesmen studied Cross Sectionally and Longitudinally. Occup Environ Med 1995;52:33-42.
Özdemir Ö, Numanollü N, Gönüllü U, Savaê I, Alper D. Chronic Effects of Welding Exposure on Pulmonary Function Test and Respiratory Symtomptoms. Occup Environ Med 1995;52:800-803.
American Thoracic Society. Standardization of Spirometry: update. Am Rev Respir Dis 1987;136:1285-1298.
Knudson RJ, Lebowitz MD, Holberg C J, Burrows B. Changes in the Normal Maximum Expiratory Flow Volume Curve with Growth and Ageing. Am Rev Respir Dis 1983;127:725-734.
Marez T, Edme JL, Boulenguez C, Shirali P, Haguenoer JM. Bronchial Symptoms and Respiratory Function in Workers exposed to Methylmethecrylate. Br J Ind Med 1993;50:894-897.
Hjortsberg U, Ørbæk P, Arborelius JrM. Small Air Ways Dysfunction among non-smoking Shipyard Arc Welders. Br J Ind Med 1992;49:441-444.
Hewitt PJ, Hirst AA. A Systems Approach to the Control of Welding Fumes at Source. Ann Occup Hyg 1993;37:297-306.
Hewitt PJ, Hirst AA. The Effects of Welding Parameters on Ultraviolet Light Emissions, Ozone and Cr VI Formation in MIG Welding. Ann Occup Hyg 1993;41:95-104.