Effect of Welding Fumes on Blood Pressure and Hematological Parameters

Abstract

Objective: Our work intends to unravel the hematological and cardiovascular modifications owing to exposure to welding fumes particulate metal in order to better understand the influence of welding fume exposure on developing different illnesses.

Methods: Participants included 50 welders and 20 controls from Anbar governate in Iraq. Measurements of blood pressure, and collection of blood, and hair samples took place during welders’ worktime.

Results: The blood pressure levels of the welder groups (8-19, 20-40 Years of Working Period) and 32-47, 48-60 Years of Age were categorised as (High normal - Grade 1 Hypertension), which is considerably higher than the blood pressure rates of the non-welder group. The other groups were classed as having Normal Blood Pressure. In comparison to the non-welder group (13.582±0.411 g/dL), the mean value of HGB varied (14.671±0.61 - 15.84±1.487 g/dL) for age groups and (14.658±0.41 - 15.267±1.569 g/dL) for working period groups. The mean HCT value was substantially higher than the non-welder group (40.344±0.633 %) and varied from 43.065±1.641 - 43.983±1.809 % for age groups and 43.275±1.703 - 43.591±1.716 % for working period groups. The age groups' mean value of Fe varied from 9.819±2.813 - 15.05±6.758 mg/Kg, while the working period groups' mean value was 9.928±2.74 - 13.819±3.951 mg/Kg. This is substantially higher than the non-welder groups' mean value of 5.907±1.145 mg/Kg. Furthermore, compared to the non-welder group (5.427±0.576 mg/Kg), the mean value of Pb varied (17.29±4.273 - 36.687±22.805 mg/Kg) for the age groups and (17.415±6.876 - 49.388±27.862 mg/Kg) for the working period groups.If other biochemical indicators were broken down by age or working time groups, they did not vary significantly from controls.

Conclusions: The study shows that welders possess higher Fe, and Pb concentration than non-welders, therefore we suggest that exposure to such heavy metals has a significant impact on the cardiovascular system and hematological hemostasis, and our study indicates that even low concentrations of heavy metals can lead to increased risks of developing CVD and multiple other diseases.