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

• Published in: Environmental Health Insights Vol. 2014; no. S1; pp. 11 - 20
• Main Authors: Antonini, James M., Badding, Melissa A., Meighan, Terence G., Keane, Michael, Leonard, Stephen S., Roberts, Jenny R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England Libertas Academica 01-01-2014; SAGE Publishing; SAGE Publications; Sage Publications Ltd. (UK)
• Subjects: Alloys; Chromium; Lung cancer; Original Research; Welding; Welding equipment; pulmonary toxicity; nickel; particulate matter; copper; chromium; welding fume; chromium, nickel
• ISSN: 1178-6302; 1178-6302
• DOI: 10.4137/EHI.S15260

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).