[Study of the pulmonary function of arc welders. Results of a study in an industrial vehicle production plant]. / Etude de la fonction pulmonaire de soudeurs à l'arc. Résultats d'une enquête dans une entreprise de construction de véhicules industriels.

ABSTRACT

Pulmonary examinations (i.e. clinical, functional and radiological) were conducted on 76 arc welders from an industrial vehicle production plant and on 74 'controls' from the same plant. Arc welders were exposed for an average of 11 years to welding gases and fumes; controls were not welders and were not exposed to any identifiable professional risk of pulmonary disease. There is no significant difference between these two groups concerning clinical, functional and radiological findings; but the prevalence of pulmonary abnormalities (whatever their type or their intensity) is high in the two groups (60%). This survey does not show any particular risk of pulmonary disease among the arc welders working in this plant. However, complementary studies in other industrial areas are required to investigate possible risks due to other arc-welding processes and other working conditions.