Authors
Zeidler-Erdely-PC; Erdely-A; Antonini-JM
Source
J Immunotoxicol 2012 Oct-Dec; 9(4):411-425
Abstract
Arc welding processes generate complex aerosols composed of potentially hazardous metal fumes and gases. Millions of workers worldwide are exposed to welding aerosols daily. A health effect of welding that is of concern to the occupational health community is the development of immune system dysfunction. Increased severity, frequency, and duration of upper and lower respiratory tract infections have been reported among welders. Specifically, multiple studies have observed an excess mortality from pneumonia in welders and workers exposed to metal fumes. Although several welder cohort and experimental animal studies investigating the adverse effects of welding fume exposure on immune function have been performed, the potential mechanisms responsible for these effects are limited. The objective of this report was to review both human and animal studies that have examined the effect of welding fume pulmonary exposure on local and systemic immune responses.
Keywords
Arc-welding; Aerosols; Aerosol-particles; Hazards; Metal-fumes; Metal-dusts; Metallic-fumes; Metallic-dusts; Metallic-compounds; Gases; Immune-system; Immune-system-disorders; Respiratory-infections; Respiratory-system-disorders; Pneumoconiosis; Workers; Risk-factors; Animal-studies; Humans; Men; Women; Pulmonary-system; Pulmonary-system-disorders; Laboratory-animals;
Author Keywords: Particulate matter; inhalation; welder; epidemiology; immune
Contact
James M. Antonini, PhD, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road Mailstop 2015, Morgantown, WV 26505
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
jda6@cdc.gov
Priority Area
Construction
Source Name
Journal of Immunotoxicology