Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 22, 2026

Generation of a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Model in Mice by Repeated Ozone Exposure

Generation of a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Model in Mice by Repeated Ozone Exposure

Published on: August 25, 2017

Welding fume exposure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in welders

D-H Koh¹, J-I Kim², K-H Kim³

¹National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang 410-769, Korea.

Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England)

|October 18, 2014

Abstract

Background:

Occupational exposure is estimated to contribute 15% to the burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Welding fumes are suspected to accelerate the decline of lung function and development of COPD.

Aims:

To examine the relationship between welding fume exposure and COPD in Korean shipyard welders.

Methods:

The study involved a group of male welders working at two shipyards who underwent an annual health examination in 2010. Subjects completed a questionnaire about smoking habits and occupational history and a pulmonary function test (PFT) was carried out with strict quality control measures. Welding fume exposure concentrations were estimated using 884 measurements taken between 2002 and 2009 in one of the shipyards. Multiple linear and logistic regression was employed to evaluate the association between cumulative fume exposure and lung function parameters, controlling for age, height and cigarette smoking.

Results:

Two hundred and forty subjects participated, with a mean age of 48 and mean work duration of 15 years. The mean cumulative fume exposure was 7.7mg/m(3). The prevalence of COPD was 15%. FEV1 and FVC showed non-significant negative correlations with cumulative fume exposure. Odds ratios of COPD were significantly elevated for the middle (3.9; 95% CI 1.4-13.3) and high exposure groups (3.8; 95% CI 1.03-16.2) compared with the low fume exposure group.

Conclusions:

Our findings support an association between welding fume exposure and increased risk of COPD. Further prospective study is needed to investigate whether this is a causal relationship.

Keywords:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease metal fume occupation welder welding.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Therapeutic Efficacy of Moving Cupping Along Meridians for Acute Exacerbation of COPD

Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Therapeutic Efficacy of Moving Cupping Along Meridians for Acute Exacerbation of COPD

Published on: September 27, 2024

A Silicosis Mouse Model Established by Repeated Inhalation of Crystalline Silica Dust

A Silicosis Mouse Model Established by Repeated Inhalation of Crystalline Silica Dust

Published on: January 6, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common, preventable, and treatable respiratory disorder characterized by persistent symptoms and progressive airflow limitation. This limitation results from a combination of small-airway disease (obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema), both driven by chronic inflammation from exposure to harmful particles or gases.The disease includes two main pathological entities: emphysema, marked by destruction of alveolar walls and...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-lasting respiratory condition requiring continuous attention and care. It is a progressive lung disease that leads to breathing challenges due to airflow obstruction. It manifests as persistent respiratory symptoms and restricted airflow resulting from abnormalities in the airways and alveoli, usually due to long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases. COPD mainly consists of two primary conditions: emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD is defined as a heterogeneous lung condition marked by persistent respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and sputum production, caused by abnormalities in the airways that cause airflow obstruction.
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) pathophysiology is intricate and multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of physiological processes. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for effectively managing and treating COPD. Here is an in-depth look at the critical elements in the pathophysiology of COPD:
Chronic Inflammation

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features

Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema

Emphysema, a major phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is characterized by irreversible destruction of alveolar walls and permanent enlargement of distal airspaces. Unlike chronic bronchitis, which primarily affects the airways, emphysema predominantly involves the lung parenchyma, where structural damage leads to airflow limitation.PathophysiologyIt most commonly results from prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke and other toxic gases, particularly cigarette smoke.

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Searches for Charged-Lepton-Flavor Violation in χ_{bJ}(1P) Decays.

Physical review letters·2026

Search for the Decay B^{+}→K^{+}τ^{+}τ^{-} Using Data from the Belle and Belle II Experiments.

Physical review letters·2026

Observation of the Radiative Decay D_{s0}^{}(2317)^{+}→D_{s}^{+}γ.

Physical review letters·2026

Search for Feebly Interacting Particles in B Decays with Missing Energy at Belle.

Physical review letters·2026

First Search for B→X_{s}νν[over ¯] Decays.

Physical review letters·2026

Search for B^{0}→K^{*0}τ^{+}τ^{-} Decays at the Belle II Experiment.

Physical review letters·2025

See all related articles