Increased Neutrophil Granulocyte and Myeloperoxidase Levels Indicate Acute Inflammation Due to the Exposure of Zinc- and Copper-Containing Welding Fumes.

Objective: Recent studies have shown an increase of C-reactive-protein (CRP) after exposure to zinc- and copper-containing welding fumes. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of exposure to zinc- and copper-containing welding fumes on leukocytes, their subtypes, and myeloperoxidase (MPO).

Methods: Serum samples of male volunteers were examined after exposures to welding fumes in two settings: repeated exposure on 4 consecutive days for 6 hours and single exposures for different times (3, 4, 5 hours).

The pro-inflammatory stimulus of zinc- and copper-containing welding fumes in whole blood assay via protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibition.

An asymptomatic systemic inflammation after exposure to zinc- and copper-containing welding fumes has been described as mild form of metal fume fever in recent studies. Since chronic systemic inflammation leads to a higher cardiovascular risk, examining the inflammation with the underlying pathomechanism is necessary to estimate and hopefully prevent long-term effects of welding. We established a whole blood assay to investigate the effects of zinc- and copper-containing welding fume particles on the blood immune response.

The Effects of Repeated Exposure to Zinc- and Copper-Containing Welding Fumes on Healthy Volunteers.

Objective: Recently, the proinflammatory effects of welding fumes containing zinc and copper have been demonstrated. In the present study, it was investigated if the inflammation persists under repeated exposure.

Methods: Fifteen healthy male subjects were exposed to 6 hours of exposure with zinc- and copper-containing welding fumes on 4 consecutive days under controlled conditions.

The effects of zinc- and copper-containing welding fumes on murine, rat and human precision-cut lung slices.

Recently, the pro-inflammatory effects of metal inert gas brazing welding fumes containing zinc and copper have been demonstrated in humans. Here, murine, rat and human precision cut lung slices (PCLS) were incubated in welding fume containing media with 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 μg/ml for 24 or 48 h.

Single and Combined Exposure to Zinc- and Copper-Containing Welding Fumes Lead to Asymptomatic Systemic Inflammation.

Objective: Recently, it has been shown that exposure to welding fumes containing both zinc and copper leads to asymptomatic systemic inflammation in humans as shown by an increase of blood C-reactive protein. In the present study, it was investigated which metal is responsible for this effect.

Methods: Fifteen healthy male subjects were exposed under controlled conditions to welding fumes containing either zinc, or copper, or copper and zinc.