Abstract
Many welders have experienced bronchitis, metal
fume fever, lung function changes, and an increase
in the incidence of lung infection. The aim of the
present study is to clarify the effect of welding
fumes as pulmonary oxidative stress on allergic
factors, antioxidants, some minerals and
immunoglobulines of smoking and non-smoking iron
and steel workers. In order to achieve this aim 40
male iron and steel workers of whom 20 were
smokers and 20 non-smokers, were recruited.
Control subject were 20 healthy volunteer never
exposed to welding fumes and non-smoking. The
result of the present study showed a significant
association between exposure to welding fumes
and high level of iron, copper, lead, and
manganese, low zinc level, high catalase activity,
low super oxide dismutase activity, low glutathione
reductase and peroxidase activity, low reduced
glutathione level, high level of malondialdhyde, low
nitric oxide level, high cortisol level and high
immunoglobulines level. These parameters may all
be regards as risk factors for exposure to welding
fumes. The finding of the present study suggest that
oxidative stress, vascular inflammation, allergic
reactions and recurrent infections are primary
interacting mediators of diseases caused by
exposure to welding fumes.