Abstract
Shipyard welders are often exposed to welding metal fumes. Ocular surfaces are continually exposed to environmental hazards. However, limited information on the associations between metal exposure and dry eye metrics in occupational settings is available. This study employed a cross-sectional design that involved the participation of 59 welders and 25 administrative staff in a shipyard in northern Taiwan from September 2020 to October 2020. The participants’ individual information, laboratory data, exposure to particulate matter < 2.5 μm, urinary, and toenail metal concentrations were collected. Dry eye metrics were evaluated using standardized questionnaires and a noninvasive ocular surface analyzer. Urinary V and Cr and toenail V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, As, and Cd and Pb were significantly higher in the exposed group than in the control group. After adjustment for confounding factors, dry eye metrics were associated with urinary Cd (β = 0.407; p = 0.007) and toenail Pb (β = 0.482; p = 0.002). The participants with higher urinary Cd exhibited higher odds ratios for elevated dry eye metrics. Our study revealed that exposure to welding procedures increases several metal biomarkers. In addition, urinary Cd, and toenail Pb might be related to dry eye disease in shipyard welders.
Highlights
An estimated 11 million people are employed as welding workers worldwide
No differences in body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hemoglobin A1c, PM2.5, temperature, humidity, ocular surface disease index (OSDI), standardized patient evaluation of eye dryness (SPEED), Schirmer’s test scores, or tear meniscus height were identified between the two groups
Concentrations the exposed group group, indicating metal biomarkers concentrations than the control group, indicating that welding procedures resulted in greater metal exposure
Summary
An estimated 11 million people are employed as welding workers worldwide. Welding procedures may involve exposure to metal fumes, gas, and ultraviolet radiation. Welding fumes contain fine particulate matter and several heavy metals on which welding materials and processes depend. Several studies have indicated that exposure to welding fumes might be associated with increased inflammation [2], advanced glycation end-products [3], and risk of cardiovascular disease [4]. Dry eye disease (DED) is a common ocular surface disorder. Common symptoms of DED are ocular pain, dryness, irritation, and fluctuating vision [5]. DED prevalence among adults in the United States is approximately 6.8% (16.4 million people) in adults [6]
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