An Investigation of Respiratory Symptoms and Spirometry Parameters of Welders in a Steel Industry

Background: Fumes released form welding activities are capable of initiating several acute and chronic respiratory effects. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate respiratory symptoms and spirometry parameters in welders of a steel industry. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a steel industry and involved 60 welders and 40 non-welders. A questionnaire was used to record participants’ details, and to determine pulmonary function values the spirometric test was used. Pearson correlation, paired and independent t test as statistic tests were used for data analysis. Results: Comparison between pulmonary function values (PFV) showed a significant relationship between forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and 25% - 75% forced expiratory flow (FEF25 - 75%) of the two groups. These values in the welder group had a significant reduction and declines were from 6 to 11 mL. Age and work experience showed a significant correlation with PFV in the two groups. Conclusions: All workers that participated in this study were relatively young and considering them being young and not having long history of work experience, our results revealed that welders had less respiratory capacity and this was related to increasing work experience and age, but inconsistent with smoking habits of the two groups.