Pulmonology Department, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, ES-08035 Barcelona, Spain.
Respiration. 2009;78(4):455-9. doi: 10.1159/000235817. Epub 2009 Aug 25.
Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to welding fumes can be a cause of occupational asthma (OA), although the mechanisms implicated are unknown. We describe 3 patients (all men, mean age 42 years) with OA secondary to exposure to welding fumes generated during metal arc welding on iron. The exposure time ranged from 7 to 43 years and the time of the onset of symptoms following the start of exposure was 2-12 years. Patients were diagnosed by specific inhalation challenge (SIC). Environmental levels of Fe, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, NO2, NO, CO, and O3 produced during the SIC did not exceed threshold limit values. Samples of induced sputum were obtained before and after the SIC and showed an increase in neutrophils and concentrations of IL-8, TNF-α and TNF-β after the SIC. This study presents the first clinical findings reported in welders with OA, mainly working with iron. Neutrophilic inflammation seems to play a role in this disease.
流行病学研究表明，接触焊接烟尘可能是职业性哮喘（OA）的一个原因，尽管其涉及的机制尚不清楚。我们描述了 3 例（均为男性，平均年龄 42 岁）由接触金属电弧焊接过程中产生的焊接烟尘引起的 OA。接触时间从 7 年到 43 年不等，暴露开始后出现症状的时间为 2-12 年。患者通过特异性吸入挑战（SIC）进行诊断。在 SIC 期间产生的 Fe、Cd、Cu、Cr、Ni、NO2、NO、CO 和 O3 的环境水平未超过阈限值。在 SIC 前后获得诱导痰样本，SIC 后中性粒细胞和 IL-8、TNF-α 和 TNF-β 浓度增加。本研究报告了首次在主要从事铁制品焊接工作的 OA 焊工中发现的临床结果。中性粒细胞炎症似乎在这种疾病中起作用。
