Methods: Prevalence and characteristics of COPD were assessed in the groups of bricklayers, cotton workers, grain workers, diary farmers, and welders. In addition, an equal group of administrative workers matched to dusty occupation workers by age and smoking status were studied as a control. Each study was performed by the same study protocol including questionnaire for respiratory symptoms in...

Blood and urine aluminium concentrations were studied in industrially exposed workers using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Welders and workers making aluminium powder and aluminium sulphate had higher concentrations in blood and urine than non-exposed referents. Workers in the electrolytic production of aluminium had higher urine but not blood concentrations than the referents. ...

The large problem to create manual welds of constant high quality results from missing optical information during the actual welding process. Due to the extreme brightness conditions e.g. in arc welding and the use of protective glasses even experienced welders can hardly recognize details of the welding pool, the welding seam and the environment. This paper describes a new research project for...

1 Supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (bmb+f) Abstract The large problem to create manual welds of constant high quality results from missing optical information during the actual welding process. Due to the extreme brightness conditions in arc welding and the use of protective glasses, even experienced welders can hardly recognize details of the welding process a...