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The presence of heavy metals in welding fumes and the numerous metals that make up welding gases expose welders to numerous occupational dangers, including major occupational health issues worldwide. The gases from welding are a significant and highly skilled process that have a considerable negative impact on welders' overall health and wellbeing. This study evaluated the influence of welding fumes on serum zinc and copper levels and oxidative stress biomarkers in welders considering smoking as a potential risk factor. The study used a case-control experimental design. Forty (40) healthy adult males were randomly selected comprising twenty (20) in the experimental group involving smokers and nonsmokers with welding experience and twenty (20) in the control group involving smokers and nonsmokers without welding experience. Data are expressed as the mean±SEM, and comparisons of means across groups were performed using one-way ANOVA, followed by Turkey's multiple comparisons test. The results showed that the serum zinc and copper levels of smokers were significantly (p

IntroductionMetal carpentry includes a wide range of work activities such as welding and cutting metallic components, use of solvents and paints. Therefore, the employees in these types of activities are mainly exposed to welding fumes and volatile organic solvents. Here, we present an NMR-based metabolomic approach for assessing urinary profiles of workers in the same company that are exposed to two different risk factors.MethodsThe study enrolled 40 male subjects exposed to welding fumes, 13 male subjects exposed to volatile organic compounds of a metal carpentry company, and 24 healthy volunteers. All samples were collected, in the middle of the working week at fast. Thirty-five urinary metabolites belonging to different chemical classes such as amino acids, organic acids and amines were identified and quantified. Results were processed by multivariate statistical analysis for identifying significant metabolites for each working group examined, compared to controls.ResultsWorkers exposed to welding fumes displayed urinary increase in glutamine, tyrosine, taurine, creatine, methylguanidine and pseudouridine associated to oxidative impairment, while workers exposed to volatile organic compounds showed higher urinary levels of branched chain aminoacids.ConclusionOur work identified specific urinary profile related to each occupational exposure, even if it is below the threshold limit values.

This study aims to predict the migration time of toxic fumes induced by excavation blasting in underground mines. To reduce numerical simulation time and optimize ventilation design, several back propagation neural network (BPNN) models optimized by honey badger algorithm (HBA) with four chaos mapping (CM) functions (i.e., Chebyshev (Che) map, Circle (Cir) map, Logistic (Log) map, and Piecewise (Pie) map) are developed to predict the migration time. 125 simulations by the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method are used to train and test the developed models. The determination coefficient (R2), the variance accounted for (VAF), the Willmott’s index (WI), the root mean square error (RMSE), the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and the sum of squares error (SSE) are utilized to evaluate the model performance. The evaluation results indicate that the CirHBA-BPNN model has achieved the most satisfactory performance by reaching the highest values of R2 (0.9945), WI (0.9986), VAF (99.4811%), and the lowest values of RMSE (15.7600), MAPE (0.0343) and SSE (6209.4), respectively. The wind velocity in roadway (Wv) is the most important feature for predicting the migration time of toxic fumes. Furthermore, the intrinsic response characteristic of the optimal model is implemented to enhance the model interpretability and provide reference for the relationship between features and migration time of toxic fumes in ventilation design.

Xin Su,1,&ast; Hengqiong Gu,1,&ast; Fajun Li,2 Donglei Shi,3 Zhaojun Wang3 1Department of Respiratory, Hainan Hospital of PLA General Hospital, Sanya, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Kunshan, Kunshan, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Donglei Shi; Zhaojun Wang, Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 628 Zhenyuan Road, Shenzhen, 518107, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86-755-81206874, Email shidlei@mail.sysu.edu.cn; wangzhj55@mail.sysu.edu.cnBackground: A study aimed to estimate the burden of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) caused by occupational exposure to particulate matter, gases, and fumes in 204 countries from 1990 to 2019.Methods: Data on the deaths number, age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR), and age-standardized disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates (ASDR) of COPD attributable to occupational particulate matter, gases, and fumes were collected from the GBD study 2019. We also investigated the association between the ASDR and SDI.Results: There were 517.7 thousand deaths [95% UI: 413.9 to 634.5] in 2019. The number of deaths increased from 1990 to 2019. The ASMR and ASDR were 6.61 (5.24 to 8.17) and 143.02 (118.56 to 168.69) in 2019, respectively, representing a 46% and 44.5% decrease since 1990. China had the highest number of deaths [200,748.4 (151,897.6 to 260,703.9)], while Nepal had the highest ASMR [39 (27.7 to 50)] and ASDR [724.5 (549 to 894.2)]. Males and females 75– 79 and 80– 84 years old had the highest number of COPD deaths. A negative correlation was observed when SDI > 0.4, whereas a positive correlation was found when SDI < 0.4.Conclusion: From 1990 to 2019, there was an increase in the number of deaths, but a decline in ASMR and ASDR globally. Besides, there was a heterogeneous burden of COPD attributable to occupational particulate matter, gases, and fumes across regions and countries. It is important to develop and implement strategies to prevent and reduce the burden of COPD attributable to occupational particulate matter, gases, and fumes.Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, occupational particulate matter, gases, fumes, global burden of disease, deaths number, age-standardized rates

In this study a paper-based analytical device was developed using screen printing technique for the determination of particulate iron from welding fumes. The operational parameters such as volume and concentration of 1,10-phenanthroline, volume and concentration of hydroxylamine were optimized by the Box Behnken Design (BBD) using Minitab. Additionally, the μ-PAD's sample solution holding capacity and reaction time were also optimized. Under the optimized condition, particulate metal concentrations were colorimetrically quantified using a handheld mobile phone and image processing software, ImageJ. Very good analytical performance such as good linearity of the calibration curve and better selectivity was observed by the developed method. The limit of detection for Fe3+ assay was 4.6 mg/L; which is adequate to determine the threshold concentration limit of particulate iron set by the regulatory bodies (6 mg/L). The μ-PAD revealed 95-99% recovery compared with the UV-Vis spectrophotometry (98-100%). Furthermore, welding fume samples were collected in Addis Ababa over five days, using mixed cellulose ester filters and the findings show a high concentration that exceeds the standard levels. Analyzing particulate iron with μ-PADs yielded results consistent with UV-Vis spectrophotometry, suggesting μ- PADs' potential application for occupational particulate iron exposure measurement, eliminating the need for expensive analytical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThis study aimed to quantify the global impact of pneumoconiosis resulting from occupational exposure to particulate matter, gasses, and fumes from 1990 to 2021, utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.MethodThe analysis evaluated the global, regional, and national burden of pneumoconiosis attributable to workplace exposure to particulate matter, gasses, and fumes. It explored variations in disease impact across different demographics, including age and gender, and analyzed the relationship between disease burden and the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI). Furthermore, an ARIMA model was employed to forecast future trends of pneumoconiosis up to 2050.ResultThe year 2021 saw pneumoconiosis from occupational particulate matter, gasses, and fumes account for roughly 4,775 deaths and 117.80 thousand disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Over the past three decades, there was a notable decline in the disease’s burden. The condition predominantly affected males and those aged above 60. Future projections suggest a decrease in mortality rates in low to middle SDI regions, while high SDI regions may experience an increase in ASMR. Additionally, both ASMR and ASDR are anticipated to rise globally. Nationally, the Czech Republic, France, and the United States are expected to show relatively higher mortality rates in 2030 and 2050. Countries like Kazakhstan, Egypt, Mongolia, and Peru are projected to experience elevated levels of ASMR, DALY rates, and ASDR.ConclusionThe findings underscore the urgent need for policymakers to create and improve targeted preventive strategies to reduce the incidence of pneumoconiosis among specific populations.

Introduction: Over the years, welding fumes’ harmful effects have been demonstrated countless times in the scientific literature. Recently, studies in the field have shown an increasing interest in the negative consequences that these fumes may have on the tissues of the oral cavity. Materials & method: The current study aimed to investigate the impact that welding fumes have on the structure of human dental enamel by analyzing the microhardness of the dental enamel in 15 extracted human teeth, after various exposure times, using the Vickers method. Results: The results obtained after 48, 96, 168, and 336 h of direct exposure of the extracted specimens to the welding fumes show a statistically significant increase in the depreciation of the dental enamel’s microhardness, related to the duration of exposure (p < 0.05). An average of 305 Vickers units was observed at the longest exposure time, 336 h, in the present study, whereas in the control group, the microhardness analysis showed an average of 327 Vickers units.

This article examines the intricate health hazards of welding, emphasizing cancer risks, respiratory and neurological impacts, and the need for ventilation measures. Utilizing advanced techniques, welding fumes' composition and morphology, revealing elevated risks for stainless steel welders were analyzed. A novel robotic system for continuous exposure assessments, advocates for a thorough re-evaluation of welding practices. It navigates the complexity of risk factors, addressing short-term and long-term health risks, including emissions' broader environmental impacts. The research underscores the importance of controlled animal models, investigating the link between welding and various cancers. Acknowledging collaborative efforts, the study aims to enhance our understanding of safer working conditions in the welding community. The article narrates the negative side of welding fumes on the health of human beings and its detrimental effects on the human life cycle. The authors have gone through the various articles and presented a comprehensive review that brings out the problems associated with welding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The admissible concentrations of toxic fumes, which appear after blasting works in open pits and underground mine excavations, are presented in this paper. Fumes were examined according to the national standard, which was designed according to European regulations. Fumes that are taken under consideration according to the European standard are carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrate oxides (NOx). The afterburning effect was not included. Analysis showed inconclusive results of possible explosive applicability in countries that are applying the general toxicity index (toxicity coefficient may vary between countries from 5 to 10) instead of the recommended European regulation. Based on the obtained results, it was concluded that the most environmentally friendly explosives are emulsion explosives. Moreover, the ammonium nitrate prill diameter has not significantly affected the fumes’ concentration; however, it significantly influences the velocity of detonation.

Mosquito coils, common in resource-constraint countries where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic, are slow- burning sticks that emit smoke containing mosquito repellents, commonly pyrethroids like meperfluthrin. In humans, the documented side effects of inhaled meperfluthrin are few. We report a case of meperfluthrin toxicity following exposure to mosquito coil fumes. A 14-year-old male adolescent developed multiple episodes of vomiting, respiratory distress, and altered consciousness following exposure to mosquito-repellent fumes containing 0.25% meperfluthrin. He had slept on a floor mat CC –BY 4.0 with the burning coil 20cm from his face before the onset of symptoms. He received initial oxygen, steroids, and antibiotics care at a private hospital before being referred to the teaching hospital. At presentation, his Glasgow Coma Score was 12, otherwise normal CNS finding. He developed irrational talk, violent behaviour and insomnia three days later. He recovered fully with supportive care. Excessive inhalation of meperfluthrinfumes maylead to neurotoxicity and pulmonary toxicity.

Welding is a common method for joining metals by heating them to the welding temperature. Exposure to welding fumes has a serious effect on the health of welders. This study examined serum zinc variability and body composition as route for hyperlipidemia and dyslipidemia in welders exposed to welding fumes and smoking, exploring the possibilities for the risk of possible cardiovascular disease. The experimental case control design was adopted in the study. Forty apparently healthy adult males were randomly selected comprising of twenty control group (non-smokers and smokers without welding experience) and twenty experimental group (non-smokers and smokers with welding experience) welders. Data obtained were represented as Mean ± SEM while comparison of means across group was done by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's multiple comparison for post hoc test at p-value < 0.05 level of significance using Graph Pad prism version 8. The data obtained showed that the body mass index (BMI) of smokers (non-welders and welders) were slightly reduced while that of non-smoking welders was increased compared to the control. The serum zinc level increased among the smoking welders, while the smoking non-welders and non-smoking welders decreased when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Exposure to welding fumes has been shown to increase total cholesterol levels compared to the control. Weld fumes significantly (p < 0.05) increased high-density lipoproteins (HDL) levels among smoking non-welders compared to the control group, while, HDL was reduced in non-smoking welders and smoking welders, respectively (p < 0.05). Triglyceride levels significantly (p < 0.05) increased in all experimental groups compared to control levels (p < 0.05). Exposure to welding fumes and smoking caused significant changes in serum zinc, HDL and triglycerides levels with implications for the formation of plaques around the arteries interfering with the effective flow of blood through the vascular system, with implications of hyperlipidemia and dyslipidemia. This study recommends that further studies should be done using biomarkers from urine or toe nails.

Background: Welding fumes (WFs) contain heavy metals that can induce oxidative stress and health issues in welders. This review investigated the relationship between oxidative stress biomarkers and trace metals in welders’ bodily fluids. Methods: Online databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, EMBASE, and Google Scholar were reviewed, with a specific emphasis on the effects of metal fume exposure during welding. Specific keywords such as “welding fumes”, “metal fumes”, “antioxidant enzymes”, “biomarkers”, and similar terms were employed to search for articles published between 2004 and 2023. After the evaluation of article titles and abstracts, this study reviewed a total of 19 articles. Results: Studies suggest that welders experience oxidative stress due to changes in trace metals in their body fluids, affecting antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress biomarkers. Elevated heavy metals in welders’ biological samples lead to oxidative stress and inflammation, even at low levels. Certain metals in blood and urine, such as lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), and cadmium (Cd), positively correlate with serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels. There is also a significant positive correlation between serum/EBC MDA and blood/urine Pb, Mn, Cd, Cr, and Fe, indicating cellular damage, lipid peroxidation, and reduced antioxidant capacity. Additionally, welders may experience more DNA damage compared to non-welders. Conclusion: Exposure to WFs significantly altered oxidative stress biomarkers in bodily fluids, underscoring the importance of the relationship between oxidative stress and trace metal imbalances in WF-related injuries. These factors could serve as valuable biomarkers for monitoring workers exposed to WFs.

Background: Welding is an extensively utilized industrial technique, which involves the fusion of fumes containing various heavy metals. To protect exposed workers, it is crucial to investigate the subsequent adverse effects. This study aimed to carry out the welding process within a regulated welding chamber and examine the effects of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as antioxidant enzymes and pathological damage on rat testicular tissue. Methods: Male adult Wistar rats (n = 7/experiment group) were exposed to an average concentration of (44.48 mg/m3) welding fumes (WFs) for 30 min/d × 8 days through shielded metal arc welding (SMAW). The control group (n = 7) was in similar conditions without direct exposure to WFs. Results: The metal composition of WFs was found to contain iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr). Among these metals, Fe had the highest average concentration (12.06 mg/m3), while Cu displayed the lowest one (0.019 mg/m3). The majority of the produced particles were found within the micron size range (0.25 to 0.5 μm). The mean activity of GPX and SOD was determined 15.16777 (mU/mg protein) and 81.955 (U/mg protein) in the exposed group, respectively. In the microscopic examination of testis tissue, some complications were observed. Conclusion: Oxidative damage occurred in the testicular tissue of experimental rats by decreasing the mean activity of antioxidant enzymes. Besides, the exposed group showed reduced sperm quality and quantity indexes.

Background: Multiple studies, including both humans and animals, have demonstrated that gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuel exhaust emissions include chemical components harmful to the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of kerosene and naphtha vapors on several blood parameters in rats. Methods and Results: The study was conducted on 10–12-week-old male Wistar albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) (n=20) weighing 150–200g. The experimental rats were categorized into two groups, each including five animals. The rats were exposed to kerosene and naphtha vapors for 15, 30, and 45 days, with six hours of daily exposure. Two control groups of animals, each including five animals, were exposed to room air. One group of rats was allowed to inhale the vapors emitted by the evaporating kerosene. Another group underwent an identical process for the naphtha vapors. Both groups of animals were exposed to daily vapors for six hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., six days a week, for three different durations: 15, 30, and 45 days. Blood samples were tested for hematological indices using a Cell Dyn Ruby Hematology Analyzer (Abbott, USA). On days 15, 30, and 45 of the experiment, rats exposed to kerosene and naphtha vapors had an increase in the total number of leukocytes, an increase in the percentage of lymphocytes, and a decrease in the percentage of neutrophils, compared to the control group (P

BackgroundCooking oil fumes are closely related to immune response, and adipose tissue also plays an important role in immune regulation. At present, the biological effect and mechanism of inflammation of adipose tissue induced by oil fume exposure are not clear yet.ObjectiveTo investigate the inflammatory effect of different exposure duration of cooking fumes on adipose tissue in mice and explore the role of Nod-like receptor pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3)/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1 (Caspase 1)/interleukin (IL)-1β signaling pathway.MethodsForty 8-week-old female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 3-day control group (CON3 group), 7-day control group (CON7 group), 3-day oil fume exposure group (COF3 group), and 7-day oil fume exposure group (COF7 group), with 10 mice in each group. The mice were exposed to oil fumes in a cooking oil fume formation and exposure equipment (COFFEE) for 20 min, followed by a 10-min pause, 1 h a day for consecutive 3 d or 7 d. General condition of mice was observed and body weight was measured every day. After exposure, blood was sampled from the eyeball. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-27, and IL-1β were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The adipose tissue of mice was collected and observed after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The percentages of CD4+ and CD8+T cells in adipose tissue were detected by flow cytometry. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), NLRP3, Caspase 1, and IL-1β in adipose tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase 1, and IL-1β in adipose.ResultsCompared with the corresponding control group, serum IL-6, IL-27, and IL-1β contents in the COF3 group and the COF7 group were significantly increased (P

This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the health risk of exposure to various vapors and fumes in a factory of automobile manufacturing. This study was performed in 2021 on 115 workers. Vapors and fumes were gathered by the adsorbent tubes of activated charcoal and mixed cellulose esters (MCE) membrane filter, respectively. The flow rate for vapors and fumes were between 0.05 and 0.20 L per min and 1 to 4 L per min, respectively. After preparing, samples were analyzed. To assess the non-cancer and cancer risk of the pollutants, the method proposed environmental protection agency (EPA) was applied. The total concentration of copper (1.031 ppm), manganese (0.114), and 2-butoxyethanol (91.767 ppm) were found to be higher than The threshold limit values (TLVs). The values of non-cancer risk (HQ) due to exposure to vapors of benzene (6.583), toluene (1.396), ethyl benzene (1.212), xylene (31.148), 2-butoxyethanol (89.302), 2-propanol (4.695), 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene (1.923), copper (2.336), manganese (715.82), aluminum (3.772), and chromium (107.066) were higher than the acceptable limit. Moreover, the estimated LCR for benzene (2.15 × 10−4), ethyl benzene (3.97 × 10−4), vinyl chloride (1.25 × 10−4), and chromium (2.11 × 10−2) were higher than the threshold risk level set by EPA. It is emphasized that preventive measures are performed.

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Introduction: Over the years, welding fumes' harmful effects have been demonstrated countless times in the scientific literature. Recently, studies in the field have shown an increasing interest in the negative consequences that these fumes may have on the tissues of the oral cavity. Materials & method: The current study aimed to investigate the impact that welding fumes have on the structure of human dental enamel by analyzing the microhardness of the dental enamel in 15 extracted human teeth, after various exposure times, using the Vickers method. Results: The results obtained after 48, 96, 168, and 336 h of direct exposure of the extracted specimens to the welding fumes show a statistically significant increase in the depreciation of the dental enamel's microhardness, related to the duration of exposure (p < 0.05). An average of 305 Vickers units was observed at the longest exposure time, 336 h, in the present study, whereas in the control group, the microhardness analysis showed an average of 327 Vickers units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: In 2021, lung cancer in school food workers was first recognized as an occupational cancer. The classification of the carcinogenicity of cooking fumes by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) was based on Chinese epidemiological data. This study aimed to determine the hazard levels of school cooking fumes in Korea. Materials and Methods: Based on public school cafeterias in one area, 25 locations were selected for the survey according to the number per school type, ventilation states, and environmental pre-assessments of cafeterias. Two inside cooking areas using a heat source and one outside cooking area were selected as control measurement points. Measurements of CO, CO2, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), including benzene, formaldehyde, and particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, PM1, respectively), were taken. The concentrations and patterns of each substance in the kitchens were compared with the outdoor air quality. Result: Known carcinogens, such as the concentrations of PAHs, formaldehyde, TVOC (benzene), and particulate matter in school cooking fumes, were all detected at similar or slightly higher levels than those found outside. Additionally, substances were detected at relatively low concentrations compared to the Chinese cooking fumes reported in the literature. However, the short-term exposure to high concentrations of CO (or composite exposure with CO2) and PM2.5 in this study were shown. Conclusion: The school cooking fumes in South Korea was a relatively less harmful than Chinese cooking fumes, however short-term, high exposure of toxic substances can cause a critical health effect.

This experimental study deals with the upgrading of rubber fibre reinforced geopolymer concrete with silica fumes as replacement of fine aggregate. Researches are experimenting with replacing ordinary portland cement with GGBS as binder. GGBS has several positive environmental impacts. It reduces the carbon footprints of concrete producing by completely or partially replacing a portion of cement, which is a significant source of CO2 emission. In this experiment fine aggregate also partially replaced with silica fume by 10%,20%,30%,40% and 50%. Silica fumes is extremely fine particles, with high surface area and reactivity, make it an excellent material for enhancing the properties of concrete. When adding to concrete mixture silica fumes filled the voids between cement particles leading to denser and stronger concrete. Cube and cylinder are the specimens cured at 7 and 28 days for determining the mechanical properties like compressive strength and split tensile strength. Sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide were the alkali solution used as an admixture for the concrete grade-M30. The rubber fibres are added at 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% to the obtained optimum value. From 10%-50%, 30% of silica fumes in geopolymer shows the optimum mix when compared to conventional Portland cement concrete mix. Our project point to emphasize an advanced concrete mix that is sustainable, durable and ecofriendly for the construction field.

Objective To explore the relationship between occupational exposure to welding fumes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Literature on welding fumes and COPD from databases until 2022 was retrieved, including PubMed, Springer, China Knowledge Network, Wanfang, etc. The quality of articles that met the criteria was evaluated using the Health Research and Quality (AHRQ) scale. The heterogeneity of articles was judged according to I2 and P values, and the corresponding effect model was selected. The stability of research results was tested by sensitivity analysis; Begg's and Egger's tests were used to evaluate publication bias. Results A total of 108 relevant articles were retrieved, and 11 studies, including 2 cohort studies and 6 cross -sectional studies, were finally included in this meta - analysis. There were 3 425 COPD patients who had not been exposed to welding fumes and 193 COPD patients who had been exposed to welding fumes. The quality scores of the articles were all above 5 points. The heterogeneity among studies was low (I2 = 11.8%), and a fixed-effect model was used to analyze the combined odds ratio (OR). The combined OR value showed that exposure to welding fumes would increase the risk of COPD (OR = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.15-1.69), which still showed that exposure to welding fumes would increase the risk of COPD after controlling for the smoking factor (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.10 -1.63). Sensitivity analysis confirmed that the results of this study were stable. Conclusions Occupational exposure to welding fumes can increase the risk of COPD in occupational populations. Attention should be paid to the health monitoring of workers exposed to welding fumes, early control of possible conditions, and regular followup after leaving their posts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: About 11 million workers are welders worldwide, and more than 110 million workers are exposed to welding-related jobs. As many as 75.6% of welding workers in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, suffer from abnormal pulmonary function due to exposure to welding fumes. This study analyzed some risk factors and their sensitivity of abnormal pulmonary function in welding workers. Methods: This study is a meta-analysis article. Data sources were obtained from articles published online on Google Scholar, Science Direct, Pubmed, and Springerfrom 2010 to 2020. A total of 15 articles were selected for meta-analysis using JASP version 0.9.2 software. Results and Discussion: Results showed pooled prevalence ratio (PR) values of long-exposure variables of 1.954 (95% CI = 0.31– 1.03), smoking habits of 2.159 (95% CI = 0.33–1.22), USE of PPE 1.491 (95% CI = -0.50–1.30) and exposure to welding fumes 2.271 (95% CI = 0.52–1.12) in welding workers with abnormal pulmonary function. Conclusion: Exposure to welding fumes and smoking habits are the highest risk factors causing abnormal pulmonary function in welding workers. For workers, it is expected to reduce or stop smoking and always use PPE at work. For industry, control efforts are required by rotating work, conducting periodic worker medical examinations, providing exhaust with blowers in the workspace, and reinforcing the use of PPE at work.

The chronic effects of automobile paint fumes and their volatile organic constituents form detrimental air pollution with hazardous consequences especially to paint industrial workers and the population within the vicinity. This study investigated the chronic effects of exposure to paint fumes in Mushin area of Lagos, Nigeria. Fifty artisans employed in automobile painting industries were compared with 50 control group whose work does not expose them to paint fumes. Five milliliters blood was collected and used for assessment of hematological and biochemical parameters. This was compared in artisan and unexposed control group and p value of

This study examines the use of SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+ long-afterglow materials doped into g-C3N4/TiO2 coatings for photodegradation. The prepared sample was tested for the purification of automotive exhaust fumes, with the optimal mass ratio of g-C3N4/TiO2 and SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+ determined to be 1:1. Characterization tests, including XRD, FT-IR, XPS, and TG-DSC, were conducted to evaluate the microstructure and properties of the samples. Under poor lighting conditions, g-C3N4/TiO2 reduced CH and NOx by 59 ppm and 13 ppm within 4 h, respectively, while g-C3N4/TiO2/SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+ decreased CH and NOx by 98ppm and 34ppm, respectively, resulting in a significant improvement in degradation efficiency. The addition of long-afterglow materials significantly improves the efficiency of photocatalysts in purifying exhaust fumes in low-light environments, providing potential value for all-weather exhaust treatment in the future.