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Lungenfunktionseinschränkungen bei Schweißern

Introduction: Welding fumes consist of complex mixtures of ultrafine particles and gaseous components. Chronic obstructive airway disease has been described in exposed persons, an occupational disease (BVK No. 4302) caused by exposure to chemically irritative or toxic welding fumes. In welders exposed long-term to high concentrations of welding fumes under poor working conditions, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis has been described. In the present study we have investigated pulmonary functional impairment in welders.

Methods: Characteristic biographies of welders treated for occupational diseases in our clinic are documented by means of the results of extensive lung function tests.

Results: In patients suffering from welder’s pulmonary fibrosis, lung function tests revealed restrictive ventilation disorders, reduced diffusion capacity, gas exchange disorders and especially pulmo-cardiac insufficiency during spiroergometry. In welders with pulmonary disease, obstructive ventilation disorders (increased airway resistance, reduced FVC, FEV1, MEF and PEF) were detected at the workplace or in workplace (-related) inhalation tests. A higher incidence of unspecific bronchial hypersensitivity (UBH) was observed.

Conclusions: For detection of pulmonary function impairment in welders, extensive lung function tests including exercise tests and workplace(-related) inhalation tests are necessary.