Exposure Assessment of Welding Workers and Impacts On Respiratory Health in Islamabad

Abstract

Welding is among the most hazardous occupations due to prolonged exposure to poisonous fumes, dust, and gases. The present study aimed to assess the pulmonary health of welders in five of the welding sites in Islamabad through spirometry and respiratory health surveys. A total of 80 male workers aged between 18–60 years, engaged at arc welding work for at least 10 years, were recruited as subjects with 60 control subjects from the same sites. In a respiratory health survey of 80 welders, 55% reported having a cough, 10% experienced shortness of breath, 20% had wheezing, 7.5% reported chest tightness, and 5% had no symptoms. Welders showed more aggravated respiratory symptoms, likely due to exposure to fumes and gases. 72.5% (58 welders) reported never using personal protective equipment (PPE) during work. Only 16.2% (13 welders) used PPE rarely, while 11.2% used it sometimes. The results showed that FEV1 was significantly higher in welders (2.18 ± 0.68) than in controls (1.69 ± 0.34), FVC was slightly higher in welders (2.51 ± 0.72) than in controls (1.73 ±0.41), PEF was higher in welders (3.64 ± 1.57) than in control (3.38± 0.56), while FEV1/FVC was significantly lower among welders (0.87 ± 0.13) than in control (2.98 ± 14.50). Control workers had much higher improved readings (%) than welders. Control workers had higher FEV1/FVC ratios than welders due to lack of occupational exposures. Smoker welders had poorer FEV1 than control smokers. Compared to control smokers, smoking welders had decreased PEF. The FEV1/FVC ratio was lower for smoking welders than smoker controls. According to results, 63 (78.75%) of 80 welders exhibited restrictive disease patterns. 20 (25%) exhibited moderate, while 43 (53.75%) had severe ones. 12 (15%) of 80 welders had obstructive disease. Of the 12 welders, 1 (1.25%) had mild, 5 (6.25%) had moderate, and 6 (7.5%) had severe obstructive pattern. Welders (n=80) with COPD had 23 (28.7%) in stage 1 with mild COPD, 34 (42.5%) in stage 2 with moderate COPD, 18 (22.5%) in stage 3 with seve is more closely associated with age and height, whereas FVC and FEV1 might be affected by other factors such as smoking years, and number of years at welding etc. The study indicated that welders had more aggravated respiratory symptoms (lung function test) compared to the control group, potentially due to exposure to elevated amounts of welding fumes, gases and other pollutants at work.