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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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Open Access 01-07-2017 | Original Article

Acute respiratory effects and biomarkers of inflammation due to welding-derived nanoparticle aggregates

Authors: Katrin Dierschke, Christina Isaxon, Ulla B. K. Andersson, Eva Assarsson, Anna Axmon, Leo Stockfelt, Anders Gudmundsson, Bo A. G. Jönsson, Monica Kåredal, Jakob Löndahl, Joakim Pagels, Aneta Wierzbicka, Mats Bohgard, Jörn Nielsen

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 5/2017

Abstract

Purpose

Welders are exposed to airborne particles from the welding environment and often develop symptoms work-related from the airways. A large fraction of the particles from welding are in the nano-size range. In this study we investigate if the welders’ airways are affected by exposure to particles derived from gas metal arc welding in mild steel in levels corresponding to a normal welding day.

Method

In an exposure chamber, 11 welders with and 10 welders without work-related symptoms from the lower airways and 11 non-welders without symptoms, were exposed to welding fumes (1 mg/m³) and to filtered air, respectively, in a double-blind manner. Symptoms from eyes and upper and lower airways and lung function were registered. Blood and nasal lavage (NL) were sampled before, immediately after and the morning after exposure for analysis of markers of oxidative stress. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) for analysis of leukotriene B4 (LT-B4) was sampled before, during and immediately after exposure.

Results

No adverse effects of welding exposure were found regarding symptoms and lung function. However, EBC LT-B4 decreased significantly in all participants after welding exposure compared to filtered air. NL IL-6 increased immediately after exposure in the two non-symptomatic groups and blood neutrophils tended to increase in the symptomatic welder group. The morning after, neutrophils and serum IL-8 had decreased in all three groups after welding exposure. Remarkably, the symptomatic welder group had a tenfold higher level of EBC LT-B4 compared to the two groups without symptoms.

Conclusion

Despite no clinical adverse effects at welding, changes in inflammatory markers may indicate subclinical effects even at exposure below the present Swedish threshold limit (8 h TWA respirable dust).

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Title: Acute respiratory effects and biomarkers of inflammation due to welding-derived nanoparticle aggregates
Authors: Katrin Dierschke
Christina Isaxon
Ulla B. K. Andersson
Eva Assarsson
Anna Axmon
Leo Stockfelt
Anders Gudmundsson
Bo A. G. Jönsson
Monica Kåredal
Jakob Löndahl
Joakim Pagels
Aneta Wierzbicka
Mats Bohgard
Jörn Nielsen
Publication date: 01-07-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 5/2017
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-017-1209-z

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Acute respiratory effects and biomarkers of inflammation due to welding-derived nanoparticle aggregates

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusion

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