Detection of occult lung impairment in welders by induced sputum particles and breath oxidation

• Published in: American journal of industrial medicine Vol. 51; no. 7; pp. 503 - 511
• Main Authors: Fireman, Elizabeth, Lerman, Yehuda, Stark, Moshe, Schwartz, Yehuda, Ganor, Eliezer, Grinberg, Nili, Frimer, Ron, Landau, Dan Avi, Zilberberg, Michal, Barenboim, Erez, Jacovovitz, Reuben
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.07.2008; Wiley-Liss
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; Exhalation; exposure; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide - analysis; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Inorganic dusts (pneumoconiosises) and organic dusts (byssinosis etc.); Israel; Leukocyte Count; Male; Medical sciences; Metals - analysis; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; noninvasive; Occupational Diseases - diagnosis; Occupational Diseases - etiology; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Particle Size; Particulate Matter - analysis; Pneumonia - diagnosis; Pneumonia - etiology; pulmonary inflammation; Sputum - chemistry; Toxicology; undetected; welding; Welding - manpower; Asia; Israel; Human; Expired air; Welding; Lung; Biological marker; pulmonary inflammation; undetected; Inflammation; Medical screening; Occupational exposure; Respiratory system; Particle; exposure; noninvasive; Sputum; Non invasive method; Oxidation; Detection; Fumes; Occupational medicine
• ISSN: 0271-3586; 1097-0274
• DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20586

Background We evaluated particulate matter in combined induced sputum (IS) and oxidation in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) to test whether underlying inflammatory changes are present in asymptomatic welders. Methods Thirty welders from the Israel Defense Forces exposed to aluminum/iron (Group 1) or to cadmium/chromium/iron/lead/nickel (Group 2, N = 16) and 27 non‐exposed administrators were studied. IS was recovered, particle size distribution, hydrogen peroxide and pH were measured, and exhaled breath condensate was collected. Results Group 2 had a higher % neutrophils than all other participants (P = 0.0001) and a higher % particles >2 µm in diameter (P = 0.0017). Percent particles and years of exposure highly correlated (P = 0.051). All welders EBC samples had higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide than controls (P = 0.0001). pH was lower only for Group 2 (P = 0.0001). Conclusions Combined IS and EBC measurements detect underlying inflammation in airways of asymptomatic welders. It emerged that airway inflammation is present in asymptomatic welders, and that the particle burden, inflammatory cells, and level of oxidative stress are a function of the type and the duration of welding. Am. J. Ind. Med. 51:503–511, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.