Çakmakcı Karakaya S, Hasanlı Y S, Demir A U
Subdivision of Work and Occupational Diseases, Department of Public Health, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Türkiye.
Subdivision of Work and Occupational Diseases, Department of Internal Diseases, Ministry of Health Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye.
Occup Med (Lond). 2025 Aug 20;75(5):256-260. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqaf030.
Excessive iron accumulation in the body can cause serious health problems, yet occupational factors have not been extensively addressed in the research literature. Welding fumes contain iron, which can be absorbed by inhalation, possibly leading toiron overload and impaired iron homeostasis in welders. We present a case of a welder with secondary haemochromatosis and welder's lung after more than 20 years in the metal industry. This highlights the need for risk management and comprehensive health monitoring, including ferritin and transferrin saturation, in pre-employment health assessment and periodic workplace health surveillance. Regular monitoring, early detection and proper workplace safety protocols can reduce the risk. Addressing both pulmonary and systemic risks through multidisciplinary evaluations is essential. We aimed to provide a new perspective by emphasizing iron homeostasis assessment in welders, which may help prevent underdiagnosed cases of occupational iron overload and promote targeted preventive strategies.
体内铁的过度积累会导致严重的健康问题，但职业因素在研究文献中尚未得到广泛探讨。焊接烟雾中含有铁，可通过吸入被吸收，这可能导致焊工体内铁过载和铁稳态受损。我们报告了一例在金属行业工作20多年后出现继发性血色素沉着症和焊工肺的病例。这凸显了在入职前健康评估和定期工作场所健康监测中进行风险管理和全面健康监测的必要性，包括铁蛋白和转铁蛋白饱和度检测。定期监测、早期发现和适当的工作场所安全协议可以降低风险。通过多学科评估来应对肺部和全身风险至关重要。我们旨在通过强调焊工的铁稳态评估提供一个新的视角，这可能有助于预防职业性铁过载的漏诊病例，并促进有针对性的预防策略。
