Nwogueze Bartholomew Chukwuebuka, Ofili Mary Isioma, Uzuegbue Ugochukwu E, Brotobor Deliverance, Esievo Njideka Judith
Department of Human Physiology, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.
Department of Nursing Science, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.
Toxicol Rep. 2023 Dec 21;12:48-55. doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2023.12.007. eCollection 2024 Jun.
The presence of heavy metals in welding fumes and the numerous metals that make up welding gases expose welders to numerous occupational dangers, including major occupational health issues worldwide. The gases from welding are a significant and highly skilled process that have a considerable negative impact on welders' overall health and wellbeing. This study evaluated the influence of welding fumes on serum zinc and copper levels and oxidative stress biomarkers in welders considering smoking as a potential risk factor. The study used a case-control experimental design. Forty (40) healthy adult males were randomly selected comprising twenty (20) in the experimental group involving smokers and nonsmokers with welding experience and twenty (20) in the control group involving smokers and nonsmokers without welding experience. Data are expressed as the mean±SEM, and comparisons of means across groups were performed using one-way ANOVA, followed by Turkey's multiple comparisons test. The results showed that the serum zinc and copper levels of smokers were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in comparison to the control group, and a graded increase in the serum GST and MDA levels was observed across groups. The serum SOD level of smoker nonwelders was significantly (p < 0.05) increased when compared with the control group. Smokers who did not weld had significantly (p < 0.05) higher serum SOD levels. The results likewise showed a statistically nonsignificant reduction in glutathione levels and a substantial decrease in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the experimental group. Overall, changes in the antioxidant parameters showed that smoking and welding fumes can exacerbate an increase in the activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in deteriorated health conditions.
焊接烟尘中重金属的存在以及构成焊接气体的众多金属,使焊工面临众多职业危险,包括全球范围内的重大职业健康问题。焊接产生的气体是一个重要且技术要求很高的过程,对焊工的整体健康和福祉有相当大的负面影响。本研究以吸烟作为潜在风险因素,评估了焊接烟尘对焊工血清锌和铜水平以及氧化应激生物标志物的影响。该研究采用病例对照实验设计。随机选择了四十(40)名健康成年男性,其中实验组二十(20)名,包括有焊接经验的吸烟者和不吸烟者;对照组二十(20)名,包括没有焊接经验的吸烟者和不吸烟者。数据以平均值±标准误表示,组间均值比较采用单因素方差分析,随后进行土耳其多重比较检验。结果显示,与对照组相比,吸烟者的血清锌和铜水平显著升高(p < 0.05),且各组血清谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GST)和丙二醛(MDA)水平呈梯度升高。与对照组相比,不焊接的吸烟者血清超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平显著升高(p < 0.05)。不焊接的吸烟者血清SOD水平显著更高(p < 0.05)。结果还显示,实验组谷胱甘肽水平在统计学上有不显著的降低,总抗氧化能力(TAC)大幅下降。总体而言,抗氧化参数的变化表明,吸烟和焊接烟尘会加剧活性氧(ROS)活性的增加,导致健康状况恶化。