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. 2008 Jun 1;24(2):119–127. doi: 10.5487/TR.2008.24.2.119

Pulmonary Toxicity and Recovery from Inhalation of Manual Metal Arc Stainless Steel Welding Fumes in Rats

Mi-Jin Yang 15, Jin-Sung Kim 15, Young-Su Yang 15, Jae-Woo Cho 15, Seong-Bong Choi 25, Yong-Hyun Chung 25, Yong-Bum Kim 15, Kyu-Hyuk Cho 15, Chae-Woong Lim 35, Choong-Yong Kim 15, Chang-Woo Song 15,✉
PMCID: PMC7006281  PMID: 32038786

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to examine the lung injury and inflammation caused by manual metal arc stainless steel (MMA-SS) welding fume inhalation and to evaluate the recovery process. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to MMA-SS welding fumes for 2 h per day in a whole-body exposure chamber, with a total suspended particulate (TSP) concentration of 51.4 ± 2.8 mg/m3 (low dose) or 84.6 ± 2.9 mg/m3 (high dose) for 30 days. The animals were sacrificed after 30 days of exposure as well as after a 30-day recovery period. To assess the inflammatory or injury responses, cellular and biochemical parameters as well as cytokines were assayed in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). MMA-SS welding fume exposure led to a significant elevation in the number of alveolar macrophages (AM) and polymorphonuclear cells (PMN). Additionary, the values of β-nacetyl glucosaminidase (β-NAG) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the BALF were increased in the exposed group when compared to controls. After 30 days of recovery from exposure, a significant reduction in inflammatory parameters of BALF was observed between the exposed and recovered groups. Slight, but significant elevations were noted in the number of AM and PMN in the recovered groups, and AM that had been ingested fume particles still remain in the lungs. In conclusion, these results indicated that welding fumes induced inflammatory responses and cytotoxicity in the lungs of exposed rats. Fume particles were not fully cleared from lungs even after a 30-day recovery period.

Key words: Welding fume inhalation, Manual metal arc stainless steel, Bronchoalveolar lavage, Rats

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