RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Lifetime exposure to welding fume and lung function in the German WELDOX study
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P1904
VO 42
IS Suppl 57
A1 Martin Lehnert
A1 Frank Hoffmeyer
A1 Katarzyna Gawrych
A1 Anne Lotz
A1 Evelyn Heinze
A1 Hans Berresheim
A1 Rolf Merget
A1 Volker Harth
A1 Rainer Van Gelder
A1 Jens-Uwe Hahn
A1 Tobias Weiss
A1 Beate Pesch
A1 Andrea Hartwig
A1 Thomas Brüning
YR 2013
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P1904.abstract
AB IntroductionAdverse effects on lung function by long-term exposure to welding fume are inconsistently reported. The ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) is a proven indicator of a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Aims and objectivesWe studied statistical effects of life-time exposure to respirable particles and airborne chromium on the FEV1/FVC ratio in 219 male welders from the cross-sectional WELDOX study.MethodsIndividual cumulative exposures to respirable particles and chromium were estimated considering formerly applied welding techniques and working conditions and their influence on shift exposure observed in WELDOX. Exposures were categorized as low, medium and high using tertiles. Spirometry was performed in accordance to American Thoracic Society criteria. Potential determinants of FEV1/FVC were estimated by multiple linear regression models including physical workload and tobacco smoking.ResultsTwelve welders did not reach 80% of predicted FEV1. FEV1/FVC ratio of 0.70 was failed by 29 welders. FVC of one welder was below 80% of prediction. There was no decline in lung function by exposure to particles or chromium. Low, medium and high particle exposure presented FEV1/FVC medians of 0.77, 0.77 and 0.75. Corresponding medians for chromium exposure were 0.77, 0.76 and 0.75. Cumulative exposure, smoking and physical workload together explained 10% of the variance of FEV1/FVC. Only smoking exerted a significant influence (p=0.0001).ConclusionsBased on a comprehensive exposure assessment we did not observe an influence of lifetime exposure to respirable particles or chromium on FEV1/FVC as an indicator for chronic obstructive lung disease.