Respiratory Disorders, Pulmonary Functions and Radiological Abnormalities among Workers Exposed to Welding Fumes | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine | ||||
| Article 6, Volume 45, Issue 3, September 2021, Page 217-232 PDF (3.38 MB) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejom.2021.193278 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
| Alateeq AEO1, 2; Daoud BH3; El-Gamal FM1; Foda NMT1; Mehana SM* 4 | ||||
| 1Department of Industrial Medicine, Occupational Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt | ||||
| 2Ministry of Health Kuwait. | ||||
| 3Department of Industrial Medicine, Occupational Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt | ||||
| 4Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Introduction: The welding process produces visible smoke that contains harmful metal fume and gas by-products which may have deleterious effects on the respiratory system. Aim of Work: To study the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases, and to detect the changes in pulmonary functions and chest X rays among welders. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Shuaiba industrial area, Kuwait. Two hundred and thirty-five welders and 155 unexposed workers were interviewed using the British Medical Research Council questionnaire; clinical examination (general and local to the chest) was done. Workers underwent measurements of lung functions, and chest X rays were performed and interpreted, according to the ILO classification of pneumoconiosis. Cases suggestive of pneumoconiosis underwent high-resolution CT scanning. Results: Exposure to welding fumes significantly increased the prevalence of chronic cough in the early morning, it was 1.74 times fold higher compared with unexposed workers. Chronic bronchitis was more prevalent among welders, but the result was not statistically significant. Metal fume fever was experienced by 23.4% of the studied welders, the majority reported one or two attacks per year, and attacks usually lasted for one or two days. The frequency of sick leaves was significantly higher among welders (35.74%) compared with unexposed workers (14.19%), and was mainly due to respiratory diseases, followed by musculoskeletal disorders, and injuries. Lung function indices (LFIs) (FVC, FEVI, FEV1%, PEFR, FEF75%, FEF50%, and FEF25%) showed significant decrements among welders after adjusting for age, height, weight, and smoking, moreover, increase in the duration of exposure to welding fumes was significantly associated with a decrease in lung functions after allowing for the effect of confounders. Findings suggestive of pneumoconiosis were observed among welders. Conclusion: Welding fumes had significant adverse effects on the respiratory system of welders and safety measures should be encouraged among workers. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Welding; Respiratory symptoms; Pulmonary function tests; Radiological changes and Pneumoconiosis | ||||
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