STUDY OF WORK RELATED RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AMONG WELDING WORKERS

Arshad Husain Rahmani; Ali Abbad Al-hurabi; Rejo Jacob Joseph; Ali Yousif Babiker

doi:10.22159/ajpcr.2018.v11i2.22767

Authors

Arshad Husain Rahmani Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia.
Ali Abbad Al-hurabi Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia.
Rejo Jacob Joseph Department of Basic Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia.
Ali Yousif Babiker Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2018.v11i2.22767

Keywords:

Welding workers, Respiratory symptoms, Inflammation

Abstract

Â Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of welding fumes on workers and its correlation with smoking and chewing habits.

Methods: A total of 44 occupationally exposed worker of welding material in 10 different units were included in this study. A pre-textured questioner was used to inquire duration of work, smoking, chewing, and health related issue. Moreover, sputum samples were collected for the cytological analysis through papanicolaou staining.

Results: The subjects were distributed according to health-related issue, and it was observed that back pain was in 8 subjects (18.18%), respiratory disorder including acute cough was in 4 (9.09%), asthma was noted in 5 (11.36%), vision problem in 4 (9.09%), skin rashes in 5 (11.36%), and other health problem was in 3 (6.81%). Cytological analysis was made and observed that 15 (34.09%) subjects out of 44 showed acute inflammation. In addition, diseases linked with respiratory systems such as asthma, chest tightness/acute cough, and other respiratory problem was high in the workers who have long exposure of the welding materials. Furthermore, the subjects who have a history of smoking, chewing, and long work duration showed a high prevalence of health-related complications.

Conclusion: This result is indicating that exposure to welding material for long time causes an alteration in epithelial cells that permit easier attack of microbes and thereby finally causes inflammation.

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