Two year follow up of pulmonary function values among welders in New Zealand

Objectives-To examine whether welding is a risk factor for an accelerated d ecline in pulmonary function. Methods-2 Year follow up of pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms amo ng 54 welders and 38 non-welders in eight New Zealand welding sites. Result s-There were no significant differences in age, height, smoking habits, eth nicity, or total time in industrial work between welders and non-welders. N o overall differences were noted in the changes of pulmonary function varia bles between the two study groups. However, when the comparison was restric ted to smokers, welders had a significantly greater (p=0.02) annual decline (88.8 mi) in FEV, than non-welders, who had a slight non-significant annua l increase (34.2 mi). Also, welders without respiratory protection or local exhaust ventilation while welding had a greater annual decline both in for ced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV,) than welders with protection (p=0.001 and 0.04, respectively). Among welder s a significant association was found between the acute across shift change and the annual decline in FEV,. Chronic bronchitis was more common among w elders (24%) than non-welders (5%). Only one welder (2%) but eight non-weld ers (21%) reported having asthma. Conclusions Welders who smoked and welders working without local exhaust ve ntilation or respiratory protection have an increased risk of accelerated d ecline in FEV,.