Risk for lung-related diseases associated with welding fumes in an occupational population: Evidence from a Cox model

BackgroundWelding fumes are a risk factor for welder pneumoconiosis. However, there is a lack of population information on the occurrence of welding fume-induced lung cancer, and little is known about the welding fume pathogenesis.MethodsWelding fume and metal ion concentrations were assessed in a vehicle factory in Wuhan. A Cox regression model estimated lung-related disease risk in workers by independent and combined factors.ResultsWorkers' exposures were divided into four grades; the highest exposure was among the welders in the maintenance workshop, the highest Mn and Fe exposure was 4 grades, and the highest Cr exposure was 3 grades. Subgroup analysis found that the risk of lung-related disease was 2.17 (95% CI: 1.31–3.57, p < 0.05) in welders compared with non-welders, and the risk of pulmonary disease in male welders was 2.24 (95% CI: 1.34–3.73, p < 0.05) compared to non-welders. Smoking welders had a 2.44 (95% CI: 1.32–4.51, p < 0.01) higher incidence of lung-related diseases than non-welders. Total years of work as an independent protective factor for lung-related disease risk was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.66–0.78, p < 0.01). As an independent risk factor, high-high and high-low exposure had a 5.39 (95% CI: 2.52–11.52, p < 0.001) and 2.17 (95% CI: 1.07–4.41, p < 0.05) higher risk for lung-related diseases, respectively.ConclusionsHigh welding fume exposure is a significant risk factor for lung-related disease in workers.