Exposure to metal mixtures in welding fume: effects on neuropsychological functions

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bowler R ; Dydak U ; Nour M ; Rosenthal F ; Snyder S ; Ward EJ
• Description:
  Welding fume is a mixture of metals and gases to which millions of welders worldwide are exposed to everyday. Contrary to most previous studies, who focused on single metal exposures, we investigated the neurological effects of exposure to Mn as well as other prevalent welding fume metals, such as, Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Aluminum (Al), and Lead (Pb). Exposure of 28 welders and 18 controls was assessed using two methods. Firstly, air exposure to each metal was calculated for individuals based on their personal work history and current departmental airborne concentration levels. Secondly, human toenail metal concentrations were used, which has recently been validated as good biomarker of Mn exposure in welders, including in our own studies. On average, the welders' respirable airborne concentrations were Mn (0.12mg/m3), Zn (0.01 mg/m3), Cu (0.02 mg/m3), and Fe (1.19 mg /m3). In testing neuropsychological performance three cognitive and three motor tests were chosen. Psychomotor function was assessed with the Finger Tapping test (FTT), Grooved Pegboard test, and Parallel Lines test. Results indicate that decreases of cognitive flexibility (Rey-O Immediate recall) and executive function (Trail making Tests B), are associated with higher toenail Cu (P < 0.01); higher Pb (P < 0.02 and P <0.04); and higher Al (P < 0.05). Verbal category fluency scores (Animal and Fruit Naming Tests) were found to decrease in individuals with increased toenail Mn (P <0.01), Cu (P < 0.001 and P < 0.02), Pb (P <0.01). Psychomotor speed (assessed by the Finger Tapping Test), and fine tactile dexterity (Grooved- Pegboard Test) were associated with increased toenail Mn (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). Lastly, increased toenail Fe was associated with greater graphomotor tremor on the Parallel Lines Test (P <0.01). These current results indicate that chronic exposure to any of the metals Cu, Pb, Al, Fe and Mn in welding fume metals have an effect on neurological performance. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Air Pollutants, Occupational Aluminum Compounds Biomarkers Environmental Monitoring Ferrous Compounds Lead Manganese Mental Health Metals Nervous System Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety Toxicology Welding Zinc Compounds

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• Keywords:
  Aluminum-compounds Biological Effects Chronic Exposure Cognitive Function Copper-compounds Copper-fumes Employee-exposure Exposure-assessment Fumes Gases Humans Iron-compounds Lead-compounds Lead-fumes Manganese-compounds Metal-compounds Metal-fumes Neurological Reactions Neurological System Neuromotor Function Psychological Effects Psychomotor Function Psychophysiological Testing Welders Zinc-compounds

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• ISSN:
  1096-6080
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  California ; Indiana ; Louisiana ; OSHA Region 5 ; OSHA Region 6 ; OSHA Region 9
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  150
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20047628
• Citation:
  Toxicologist 2016 Mar; 150(1):139
• CAS Registry Number:
  Aluminum (CAS RN 7429-90-5) ; Copper (CAS RN 7440-50-8) ; Iron (CAS RN 7439-89-6) ; Lead (CAS RN 7439-92-1) ; Manganese (CAS RN 7439-96-5) ; Zinc (CAS RN 7440-66-6)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2016
• Performing Organization:
  Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20010701
• Source Full Name:
  The Toxicologist. Society of Toxicology 55th Annual Meeting and ToxExpo, March 13-17, 2016, New Orleans, Louisiana
• End Date:
  20270630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:fb41e4f8ebb7c0913b1f7109bc72780940ec90d0a63768457960c99f4c7454ba9e3e1b481fe2b9b01aa853e69807f74c58734f4ad817c7f64f1672c66d9383a3
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/202643/cdc_202643_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 442.85 KB ]