Evaluation of Welding Metal Fumes on Body Oxidant–Antioxidant Status



Aminian O¹ ; Bazrafshan S¹ ; Izadi N¹
Source: Oxidation Communications Published:2019

Abstract

Welding is a major and highly skilled process that its fumes causes serious health hazards, the biological effect of these fumes on health status consists of respiratory disorders and production of systemic oxidative stress. To determine the relationship between antioxidant enzymes and welding fumes, the blood level of two Red blood cell (RBC) enzymes (Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and serum level of TAS of 51 welders were compared with 42 office workers. Measurement of enzymes concentration and activity was done using spectrophotometer. Environmental and personal exposure air samples for total dust and welding fume metals were collected. Significant decreases were observed in Total serum antioxidant status (TAS) levels (8.3%), SOD (8%) and GPX (36.7%) activities. It was also seen that smoking had negative effect on the TAS concentration. It was concluded that exposure to welding fumes could act as a factor initiating oxidative stress chain in the welders body. Welding fumes could affect the RBC antioxidant enzymes by disrupting the homeostasis of oxidant-antioxidant status and induce oxidative stress. This effect can occur even at the standard level of exposure. This oxidative stress may induce many hazardous effects on human health. © 2019, Scibulcom Ltd. All rights reserved.