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Acute respiratory effects and biomarkers of inflammation due to welding-derived nanoparticle aggregates

Dierschke, Katrin LU ; Isaxon, Christina LU ; Andersson, Ulla B K LU ; Assarsson, Eva LU ; Axmon, Anna LU orcid ; Stockfelt, Leo ; Gudmundsson, Anders LU ; Jönsson, Bo A G LU ; Kåredal, Monica LU orcid and Löndahl, Jakob LU orcid , et al. (2017) In International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 90(5). p.451-463
Abstract

PURPOSE: Welders are exposed to airborne particles from the welding environment and often develop symptoms work-related from the airways. A large fraction of the particles from welding are in the nano-size range. In this study we investigate if the welders' airways are affected by exposure to particles derived from gas metal arc welding in mild steel in levels corresponding to a normal welding day.

METHOD: In an exposure chamber, 11 welders with and 10 welders without work-related symptoms from the lower airways and 11 non-welders without symptoms, were exposed to welding fumes (1 mg/m(3)) and to filtered air, respectively, in a double-blind manner. Symptoms from eyes and upper and lower airways and lung function were registered.... (More)

PURPOSE: Welders are exposed to airborne particles from the welding environment and often develop symptoms work-related from the airways. A large fraction of the particles from welding are in the nano-size range. In this study we investigate if the welders' airways are affected by exposure to particles derived from gas metal arc welding in mild steel in levels corresponding to a normal welding day.

METHOD: In an exposure chamber, 11 welders with and 10 welders without work-related symptoms from the lower airways and 11 non-welders without symptoms, were exposed to welding fumes (1 mg/m(3)) and to filtered air, respectively, in a double-blind manner. Symptoms from eyes and upper and lower airways and lung function were registered. Blood and nasal lavage (NL) were sampled before, immediately after and the morning after exposure for analysis of markers of oxidative stress. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) for analysis of leukotriene B4 (LT-B4) was sampled before, during and immediately after exposure.

RESULTS: No adverse effects of welding exposure were found regarding symptoms and lung function. However, EBC LT-B4 decreased significantly in all participants after welding exposure compared to filtered air. NL IL-6 increased immediately after exposure in the two non-symptomatic groups and blood neutrophils tended to increase in the symptomatic welder group. The morning after, neutrophils and serum IL-8 had decreased in all three groups after welding exposure. Remarkably, the symptomatic welder group had a tenfold higher level of EBC LT-B4 compared to the two groups without symptoms.

CONCLUSION: Despite no clinical adverse effects at welding, changes in inflammatory markers may indicate subclinical effects even at exposure below the present Swedish threshold limit (8 h TWA respirable dust).

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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Journal Article
in
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
volume
90
issue
5
pages
451 - 463
publisher
Springer
external identifiers
  • pmid:28258373
  • scopus:85014283788
  • wos:000403772400006
ISSN
1432-1246
DOI
10.1007/s00420-017-1209-z
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
cadb15ae-3a2e-491c-afea-c43401619bb0
date added to LUP
2017-03-08 08:14:35
date last changed
2025-03-18 19:59:35
@article{cadb15ae-3a2e-491c-afea-c43401619bb0,
  abstract     = {{<p>PURPOSE: Welders are exposed to airborne particles from the welding environment and often develop symptoms work-related from the airways. A large fraction of the particles from welding are in the nano-size range. In this study we investigate if the welders' airways are affected by exposure to particles derived from gas metal arc welding in mild steel in levels corresponding to a normal welding day.</p><p>METHOD: In an exposure chamber, 11 welders with and 10 welders without work-related symptoms from the lower airways and 11 non-welders without symptoms, were exposed to welding fumes (1 mg/m(3)) and to filtered air, respectively, in a double-blind manner. Symptoms from eyes and upper and lower airways and lung function were registered. Blood and nasal lavage (NL) were sampled before, immediately after and the morning after exposure for analysis of markers of oxidative stress. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) for analysis of leukotriene B4 (LT-B4) was sampled before, during and immediately after exposure.</p><p>RESULTS: No adverse effects of welding exposure were found regarding symptoms and lung function. However, EBC LT-B4 decreased significantly in all participants after welding exposure compared to filtered air. NL IL-6 increased immediately after exposure in the two non-symptomatic groups and blood neutrophils tended to increase in the symptomatic welder group. The morning after, neutrophils and serum IL-8 had decreased in all three groups after welding exposure. Remarkably, the symptomatic welder group had a tenfold higher level of EBC LT-B4 compared to the two groups without symptoms.</p><p>CONCLUSION: Despite no clinical adverse effects at welding, changes in inflammatory markers may indicate subclinical effects even at exposure below the present Swedish threshold limit (8 h TWA respirable dust).</p>}},
  author       = {{Dierschke, Katrin and Isaxon, Christina and Andersson, Ulla B K and Assarsson, Eva and Axmon, Anna and Stockfelt, Leo and Gudmundsson, Anders and Jönsson, Bo A G and Kåredal, Monica and Löndahl, Jakob and Pagels, Joakim and Wierzbicka, Aneta and Bohgard, Mats and Nielsen, Jörn}},
  issn         = {{1432-1246}},
  keywords     = {{Journal Article}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{03}},
  number       = {{5}},
  pages        = {{451--463}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  series       = {{International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health}},
  title        = {{Acute respiratory effects and biomarkers of inflammation due to welding-derived nanoparticle aggregates}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00420-017-1209-z}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s00420-017-1209-z}},
  volume       = {{90}},
  year         = {{2017}},
}