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Published online before print September 13, 2006, 10.1183/09031936.00058106
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Eur Respir J 2007; 29:85-90
Copyright ©ERS Journals Ltd 2007

Occupational asthma caused by stainless steel welding fumes: a clinical study

T. Hannu, R. Piipari, M. Tuppurainen, H. Nordman and T. Tuomi

Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Occupational Medicine, Helsinki, Finland.

CORRESPONDENCE: T. Hannu, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, FI-02500 Helsinki, Finland. Fax: 358 304742149. E-mail: timo.hannu{at}ttl.fi

Keywords: Challenge test, occupational asthma, stainless steel, welding

Received: May 1, 2006
Accepted August 13, 2006

The aim of the present study was to describe the cases of occupational asthma (OA) due to stainless steel welding fumes diagnosed at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health during the period 1994–2003.

OA was diagnosed according to patient history, lung function examinations and welding challenge tests with measurements of the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) values.

The present series comprised 34 patients, all male, with a mean age of 44.7 yrs (range 22–57), mainly working as welders. The mean duration of exposure was 22.4 yrs, and the mean duration of exposure before the onset of respiratory symptoms was 18 yrs. Dyspnoea was the most frequently reported work-related respiratory symptom. During the inhalation challenge tests, the mode of the asthmatic FEV1/PEF reaction was delayed in 16 (47%) patients, immediate in nine (26%) patients and dual (both immediate and delayed) in nine (26%) patients. In the follow-up assessment 6 months later, only six patients were considered able to continue performing welding tasks, whereas occupational injury pension was recommended for seven, and measures of vocational rehabilitation for 14 patients.

In most cases, after the diagnosis of occupational asthma, the continuation of welding work was not possible.






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Copyright © 2007 by the European Respiratory Society.