Journal of Clinical Cases

Respiratory Disorders, Pulmonary Function And Radiological Abnormalities Among Workers Exposed To Welding Fumes At Shuaiba Industrial Area In The State Of Kuwait

Alanoud EO Alateeq*, Bahiga H Daoud , Fathy M El-Gamal ,Nermine MT Foda , Sayed M Mehana ,

Departments:
PhD Industrial Medicine and Occupational health, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt.
MSc Occupational Health University of Birmingham, Ministry of Health Kuwait
Professor of Industrial Medicine and Occupational Health, Community Medicine Department. Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt.
Lecturer of Diagnostic Radiology, Medical Research Institute, University of Alexandria.

Corresponding Author: Alanoud EO Alateeq

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The welding process produces visible smoke that contains harmful metal fume and gas by-products. Results of previous researches on effects of welding emissions on respiratory health were equivocal.

Aim: To study the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases, and to investigate the changes in lung function and radiological abnormalities among welders.

Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Shuaiba industrial area, Kuwait. Two hundred and thirty-five welders and 155 unexposed workers were interviewed by the British Medical Research Council questionnaire, workers underwent measurements of lung functions, and chest X rays were performed and interpreted, according to the ILO classification of pneumoconiosis.

Results:exposure to welding fumes significantly increased the prevalence of chronic cough in the early morning, it was 1.74 times fold higher compared with unexposed workers.Chronic bronchitis was more encountered, but the result was not statistically significant. Metal fume fever was experienced by 23.4% of the studied welders, the majority reported one or two attacks per year, and attacks usually lasted for one or two days. Frequency of sick leaves were significantly higher among welders (35.74%) compared with unexposed workers (14.19%), and were mainly due to respiratory diseases, followed by musculoskeletal disorders, and injuries. Lung function indices (LFIs) investigated in this study (FVC, FEVI , FEV1 %, PEFR, FEF75%, FEF50%, and FEF25%) showed significant decrements in welders after adjusting for age, height, weight, and smoking, moreover, increase in duration of exposure to welding fumes was significantly associated with decrease in lung functions after allowing for the effect of confounders. Findings suggestive of pneumoconiosis were observed in this study

Conclusion:welding fumes had significant adverse effects on the respiratory system of welders and the level of protection for exposed workers should be increased.