Small-airways dysfunction in never smoking asbestos exposed Danish plumbers.

Among 701 Copenhagen plumbers we examined the lung function of 23 never smokers, who had removed asbestos insulation and intermittently been exposed to high levels of asbestos for about 25 years without being exposed to welding fume. The plumbers had significantly lower TLC, MEF25, MEF50, closing volume and closing capacity in comparison to 23 never smoking electricians without asbestos exposure. There was no reduction in TLCO.

Occupational lung function impairment in never-smoking Danish welders.

In order to study the effect of welding fumes on lung function, 74 high-exposed welders and 31 age-matched electricians were examined in 1982. None had ever smoked tobacco or been exposed to known or potentially noxious agents to the lungs. A significant difference was found between the welders and the control group in vital capacity, total lung capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, peak expiratory flow rate, maximal expiratory flow rate at 75% of vital capacity, diffusion capacity and slope of the alveolar plateau.

Respiratory symptoms in Danish welders.

In order to study the effect of welding fumes on respiratory symptoms a cross sectional study was performed in 1982 among 2,660 welders, primarily shipyard welders, compared with a control group of 881 electricians. Only workers more than 34 years of age and in work at the time of the study were selected. Information about respiratory symptoms (using standardized BMRC questions) and exposure was obtained through a self-administered questionnaire.

Thoracic magnetic dust content, occupational exposure, and respiratory status of shipyard welders.

The net thoracic magnetic moment of 58 highly exposed nonsmoking shipyard welders and 13 unexposed nonsmoking electricians was measured with an alternating current susceptibility bridge. The welding cohort exhibits a thorax magnetic moment, which on the average is less diamagnetic than that of the controls. This shift is consistent with a median lung burden of 110 mg Fe3O4, or 220 mg of the welding fumes characteristic for shipyard exposures.