Vandenplas O, Delwiche J P, Vanbilsen M L, Joly J, Roosels D
Dept of Chest Medicine, Mont-Godinne Hospital, Catholic University of Louvain, Yvoir, Belgium.
Eur Respir J. 1998 May;11(5):1182-4. doi: 10.1183/09031936.98.11051182.
Work-related asthma has been documented in workers employed in the primary aluminium industry and in the production of aluminium salts. The role of aluminium in the development of occupational asthma has, however, never been convincingly substantiated. We investigated a subject who experienced asthmatic reactions related to manual metal arc welding on aluminium. Challenge exposure to aluminium welding with flux-coated electrodes, as well as with electrodes without flux, elicited marked asthmatic reactions. Manual metal arc welding on mild steel did not cause significant bronchial response. The results of inhalation challenges combined with exposure assessments provided evidence that aluminium can cause asthmatic reactions in the absence of fluorides. Awareness of this possibility may be relevant to the investigation of asthma in workers exposed to aluminium.
原发性铝工业及铝盐生产行业的工人中已有职业性哮喘的记录。然而，铝在职业性哮喘发病过程中的作用从未得到令人信服的证实。我们对一名在铝制品手工金属电弧焊过程中出现哮喘反应的受试者进行了调查。使用有药皮焊条和无药皮焊条对铝进行焊接激发试验，均引发了明显的哮喘反应。在低碳钢上进行手工金属电弧焊未引起明显的支气管反应。吸入激发试验结果与暴露评估相结合，证明在无氟化物的情况下铝可引发哮喘反应。认识到这种可能性可能有助于对接触铝的工人的哮喘进行调查。
