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1751985 
Journal Article 
What Do We Know Today about Welding-Fume Effects on the Respiratory System? 
Flechsig, R 
1988 
Yes 
Industrial Health
ISSN: 0019-8366
EISSN: 1880-8026 
NIOSH/00181430 
26 
2 
93-100 
The effects of welding fumes on the respiratory system were reviewed. Welding techniques were summarized. Research studies conducted in the past 10 years on the relationship between welding fumes and pneumoconiosis, chronic bronchitis, lung fibrosis, occupational asthma, lung cancer, and diseases of the upper respiratory tract were discussed. They have shown that x-ray evidence of pneumoconioses, such as reticular shadows or micronodular opacities, are seen frequently in welders. The abnormalities were usually localized in the lower and lateral parts of the lung. Pneumoconiosis usually continued to progress and concomitant chronic bronchitis developed as exposure continued. The pneumoconioses did not progress or regressed if the workers switched to nonwelding jobs. Fibrosis appeared after long exposure, 21 years on the average, especially in welders working in narrow rooms without adequate ventilation. Chromium (7440473) or nickel (7440020) fumes emitted from chromium or nickel coated electrodes in manual metal arc (MMA) welding were considered to be the cause of occupational asthma in welders. Studies of the relationship between welding fumes and lung cancer have generally given conflicting results, except for a possible risk associated with chromium or nickel coated electrodes. Confounding factors and the small number of deaths did not allow any definite conclusion about the lung cancer risk in welders. Chronic rhinitis, pharyngitis, and laryngitis were common upper respiratory tract disorders seen in welders. Such disorders were seen more commonly in MMA than in tungsten inert gas welders. The legal aspects of declaring respiratory system disorders in welders to be an occupational disease in the German Democratic Republic were discussed. The author concludes that the severity and prevalence of respiratory effects vary according to the type of welding done. Proper health risk assessments cannot be done without taking into account the various technological parameters of welding. 
DCN-170198; Arc welding; Occupational health; Occupational exposure; Metal fumes; Pulmonary system disorders; Lung cancer; Epidemiology; Chest X rays; Lung function