INITIAL RESPIRATORY RESPONSES WELDING APPRENTICES

尽管研究结果有些不一致，但有证据表明 焊接烟尘暴露与职业性哮喘之间的关系已被证实 在过去的15年里不断增长。大多数早期的流行病学研究 关于焊接暴露和呼吸影响，受到它们的限制 横断面研究设计，选择具有广泛代表性的研究人群 焊接经验，以及有关时间和性质的有限信息 暴露在焊接烟雾中。我们提出了一项针对200名焊接学徒的研究 哪些呼吸道反应性和急性呼吸反应将被及早测量 在学徒的职业生涯中，在他们第一次接触焊接的6个月内。 因为因焊接而出现呼吸问题的焊工较少 有可能长期留在焊接领域，研究焊接学徒 刚刚进入这一领域的工人的优势是 在早期经历呼吸系统问题。 研究设计侧重于肺功能参数的短期变化 同时进行广泛的暴露评估，包括实时 颗粒物和(亚样)NOx的测量。平均水平 将在培训期间为这些变量提供曝光，并 对于氟化物。最近的证据表明，急性呼吸道反应15分钟 每天第一次接触焊接后，使肺功能和呼吸功能 症状将在焊接培训课程开始前进行测量，15 在第一次焊接后几分钟，在整个焊接过程中每小时间隔一次 会议。将使用实时个人暴露测量来识别 峰值水平和所有措施将有助于衡量#年的平均暴露水平 上面指定的时间间隔。这些暴露变量将被检查 与呼吸反应和呼吸道反应性有关的指标将通过 学徒学会焊接前后对乙酰甲胆碱的反应。在……里面 此外，将通过考虑以下因素来确定焊接暴露的决定因素 通风、焊接工作类型和工人习惯等因素。 这项研究将提供对两者之间关联的本质的洞察 焊接暴露和急性呼吸反应。我们将提出建议 使用最有效的呼吸和暴露变量 流行病学评估。对暴露的决定因素的评估也将 对于考虑曝光控制选项是有用的。

Despite some inconsistencies in study results, evidence of an association between welding fume exposure and occupational asthma has been growing over the past 15 years. Most of the earlier epidemiological studies concerning welding exposures and respiratory effects have been limited by their cross-sectional study design, the selection of study populations with extensive welding experience, and limited information on the timing and nature of exposures to welding fumes. We propose a study of 200 welding apprentices in which airway reactivity and acute respiratory responses will be measured early in the apprentices' careers, within 6 months of their first welding exposure. Since welders who experience respiratory problems due to welding are less likely to stay in the welding field long-term, a study of welding apprentices who are just entering the field has the advantage of including workers who experience respiratory problems early on. The study design focuses on short-term changes in pulmonary function parameters with simultaneous extensive exposure assessment that will include real time measurements of particulates, and (on a subsample) NOx. Average levels of exposure during the training session will be provided for these variables and for fluoride. Recent evidence suggests an acute respiratory response 15 minutes after first daily exposure to welding, so pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms will be measured before the start of a welding training session, 15 minutes after the first weld, and at hourly intervals throughout the welding session. The real time personal exposure measurements will be used to identify peak levels and all measures will contribute to measuring average exposures in the specified time intervals above. These exposure variables will be examined in relation to respiratory responses, and airway reactivity will be measured by response to methacholine before and after apprentices have learned to weld. In addition, determinants of welding exposures will be identified by considering factors such as ventilation, type of welding work, and worker habits. This study will provide insights into the nature of the association between welding exposures and acute respiratory responses. Recommendations will be made for the most effective respiratory and exposure variables to use in epidemiological assessments. Assessment of determinants of exposure will also be useful for consideration of exposure control options.