Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Function in Welders

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Abstract
A group of 156 welders and one of 152 controls from the same plants were examined in an attempt to evaluate the possible influence of prolonged exposure to welding fumes upon respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function. No significant difference was found between welders and controls in the occurrence of chronic bronchitis and in the ventilatory function as estimated from the 1 sec forced expiratory volume. Smoking habits seem to be a factor of importance to the occurrence of respiratory symptoms in welders and in controls. The percentage of persons having symptoms increases in both groups with increasing use of tobacco, a tendency more marked for welders of the older age groups. In welders there also seems to be a relationship between smoking and ventilatory function. This could not be clearly demonstrated in the control group.

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