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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
04:48
Setup of Capillary Electrophoresis-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (CE-ICP-MS) for Quantification of Iron Redox Species (Fe(II), Fe(III))
Published on: May 4, 2020
Systemic iron overload associated with Welder's siderosis.
Rajesh R Patel1, Eunhee S Yi, Jay H Ryu
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. patel.rajesh@mayo.edu
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences
|October 23, 2008
Summary
Chronic inhalation of iron particles from welding fumes may cause systemic iron overload in welders. This condition, known as welder's lung or pulmonary siderosis, can lead to lung infiltrates and elevated liver enzymes.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Toxicology
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Welding is a common industrial process with known occupational hazards including fume and gas exposure.
- Systemic iron overload is typically caused by genetic hemochromatosis or frequent blood transfusions.
Observation:
- Two welders presented with unexplained lung infiltrates and elevated liver enzyme levels.
- Both patients were diagnosed with pulmonary siderosis (welder's lung) via lung biopsy.
Findings:
- Lung biopsy confirmed pulmonary siderosis in both cases.
- Evidence of systemic iron overload was present in both patients.
- Standard tests for genetic hemochromatosis and other common causes of iron overload were negative.
Implications:
- Chronic inhalation of iron particles from welding fumes may be an under-recognized cause of systemic iron overload.
- This finding suggests a need for increased awareness and diagnostic consideration of welding-related iron overload in affected workers.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and prevalence of this occupational health risk.
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