A patient with the clinical history of recurring zinc fume fever underwent an experimental welding exposure; this resulted in a systemic reaction and a distinct self-limiting response in the periphery of the lung, demonstrated by pulmonary function tests and bronchoalveolar lavage. These pulmonary changes observed for the first time in man were reproducible.

INTRODUCTION There is growing interest in preventable, non-smoking causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), among which are chronic exposures to respiratory irritants in the workplace. SOURCES OF DATA Reviews of occupational COPD in specific occupations and industries and in general populations; supplemented with other or more recently published material. AREAS OF AGREEMENT T...

Welder's pneumoconiosis has generally been determined as benign based on the absence of pulmonary function abnormalities in welders with marked radiographic abnormalities. Yet, there have also been several reports on welders with respiratory symptoms, indicating lung function impairment, X-ray abnormalities, and extensive fibrosis. Accordingly, this study attempted to investigate the inflammato...

BACKGROUND The prevalence of welding related respiratory symptoms coexisting with welding related systemic symptoms in welders is unknown. AIMS To determine in a sample of welders the prevalence of coexisting welding related systemic symptoms indicative of metal fume fever (MFF) and welding related respiratory symptoms suggestive of occupational asthma (OA), and the strength and significance ...

background: welding can produce dangerous fumes containing various metals especially carcinogenic ones. occupational exposure to welding fumes is associated with lung cancer. therefore, welders in gas transmission pipelines are known as a high-risk group. this study was designed to determinate the amounts of metals cr, ni, and cd in breathing zone and urine of welders and to assess the possibil...

BACKGROUND Although adverse neuropsychological and neurological health effects are well known among workers with high manganese (Mn) exposures in mining, ore-processing and ferroalloy production, the risks among welders with lower exposures are less well understood. METHODS Confined space welding in construction of a new span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge without adequate protection...

The manufacturing of fitness equipment involves several processes, including the cutting and punching of iron tubes followed by welding. Welding operations produce hazardous gases and particulate matter, which can enter the alveolar, resulting in adverse health effects. This study sought to verify the particle size distribution and exposure concentrations of atmospheric air samples in various w...

Many of the epidemiology studies performed are difficult to compare because of differences in worker populations, industrial settings, welding techniques, duration of exposure, and other occupational exposures besides welding fumes. Some studies were conducted in carefully controlled work environments, others during actual workplace conditions, and some in laboratories. Epidemiology studies hav...

Metal arc welding ranges from primitive (manual) to increasingly complex automated welding processes. Welding occupies 1% of the labour force in some industrialised countries and increasing knowledge of health risks, necessitating improved assessment strategies and controls have been identified by the International Institute of Welding (IIW), ILO, WHO and other authoritative bodies. Challenges ...

FSW is a solid phase welding, invented by W. Thomas and his colleagues at The Welding Institute (TWI), UK, in 1991. It is proven that FSW is completely user friendly, non hazardous and produces no effluents. From the advent of the modern Welding technology, most of all the techniques that were developed produced fumes and gases that were hazardous to the welders and the environment. Protective ...