Evaluation of the Pulmonary Toxicity of a Fume Generated from a Nickel-, Copper-Based Electrode to be Used as a Substitute in Stainless Steel Welding. (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Antonini, James M.; Badding, Melissa A.; Meighan, Terence G.; Keane, Michael; Leonard, Stephen S.; Roberts, Jenny R.
• Is Part Of: Environmental health insights. Volume 8(2014)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: welding fume -- pulmonary toxicity -- chromium, nickel -- copper -- particulate matter; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Health risk assessment -- Periodicals; Environmental Health; Risk Assessment; Environmental health; Health risk assessment; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; Periodicals; 613.105
• DOI: 10.4137/EHI.S15260
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1178-6302

Abstract

Epidemiology has indicated a possible increase in lung cancer among stainless steel welders. Chromium (Cr) is a primary component of stainless steel welding fume. There is an initiative to develop alternative welding consumables [nickel (Ni)- and copper (Cu)-based alloys] that do not contain Cr. No study has been performed to evaluate the toxicity of fumes generated from Ni- and Cu-based consumables. Dose-response and time-course effects on lung toxicity of a Ni- and Cu-based welding fume (Ni-Cu WF) were examined using an in vivo and in vitro bioassay, and compared with two other well-characterized welding fumes. Even though only trace amounts of Cr were present, a persistent increase in lung injury and inflammation was observed for the Ni-Cu WF compared to the other fumes. The difference in response appears to be due to a direct cytotoxic effect by the Ni-Cu WF sample on lung macrophages as opposed to an elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS).