SciCom logo

Bridging between cutting edge occupational health research and its practice
Science communication platform as an open innovation for occupational health research
NEW
2024.04.21 11:24

#0156 Sparks of Concern: Exploring Welding Fume Exposure and its Association with Neurological Functions

Sparks of Concern: Exploring Welding Fume Exposure and its Association with Neurological FunctionsIn Japan, welding, the process of joining metal parts together by melting them with heat or pressure, is a common occupation. Approximately 180,000 workers are engaged in metal welding and fusion cutting, comprising about 0.3% of the total working population. In 2020, the Japanese government announced plans to partially revise laws and regulations aimed at strengthening measures to prevent health hazards among welders associated with manganese (Mn) exposure and welding fumes.Researchers in Japan have conducted few studies on the neurotoxicity or respiratory toxicity experienced by welders exposed to Mn. In this particular study, 94 male welders from 7 factories in Japan participated. Additionally, 95 male non-welders from the same factories were recruited as control participants. The participants, aged 20 years or older, were recruited between April 2021 and June 2022.Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire. The researchers measured hand grip strength in both the dominant and non-dominant hands using a digital grip strength dynamometer. Finger tapping measures the maximum speed of repetitive finger movements, utilizing the index and middle fingers of the dominant and non-dominant hands, respectively. Additionally, researchers assessed the Working Memory Index (WMI) and conducted blood and urine sampling.A professional measurer from an external organization (the Japan Industrial Safety and Health Association) conducted breathing air zone sampling for welders using a personal sampler in accordance with the guidelines for personal exposure measurements of chemical substances established by the Japan Society for Occupational Health. The welders exhibited stronger grips, fewer finger tappings, and lower WMI scores compared to non-welders. No significant relationship was found between grip strength and finger tapping for dominant and non-dominant hands as well as blood Mn concentrations. Non-welders displayed a mild relationship between low WMI scores and high blood Mn levels. However, the association between welders' WMI scores and blood Mn levels showed the highest statistical significance.Mn concentrations in the environment, the duration of Mn exposure, and the usage of personal protective equipment to prevent Mn exposure are vital factors in determining whether Mn exposure affects neurological function. Safety measures outlined in the Hazards Prevention Ordinance are crucial for ensuring workplace safety. Under the regulations concerning Specified Chemical Substances, doctors have the authority to order the measurement of Mn concentration in urine or other biological samples from welders as part of a secondary health checkup.
NEW
2024.04.21 11:18

#0155 Multiple organ cancers were caused by inhalation of 2-bromopropane in rats

NEW
2024.04.21 11:07

#0154 Unveiling DigiFuehr 2.0: Pioneering Digital Leadership Insights

NEW
2024.04.21 11:00

#0153 Cooling Down the Heat: A Special Vest Can Keep Workers Cool in Scorching Temperatures

NEW
2024.04.21 10:51

#0152 Pregnancy Challenges in the Workplace: Can a Mobile App Promote Healthy Practices and Self-Care?

Editor's choice
2024.04.21 11:24

#0156 Sparks of Concern: Exploring Welding Fume Exposure and its Association with Neurological Functions

2024.04.21 11:18

#0155 Multiple organ cancers were caused by inhalation of 2-bromopropane in rats

2024.04.21 11:07

#0154 Unveiling DigiFuehr 2.0: Pioneering Digital Leadership Insights

View More

Highly rated article
2022.03.31 12:18

#0001 Effective Workplace Communication and Lower Psychological Distress after a Disaster

2023.04.28 15:35

#0008 Associations between welding fume exposure and neurological function in Japanese male welders and non-welders

2022.03.31 22:26

#0002 Sweating on a Dime: Socioeconomic Disparity Influences Habitual Exercising among Urban Workers in Tokyo

2022.07.26 08:34

#0004 Measuring the Measures of Sedentary Behavior: Are We Doing it Right?

2022.07.26 08:55

#0007 The Deleterious Health Effects of Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles

2023.04.29 14:18

#0025 Risk factors for development of lower limb osteoarthritis in physically demanding occupations: A narrative umbrella review

2022.07.26 08:50

#0006 Workplace Responses and Employee Mental Health and Performance in the Time of COVID-19

2022.03.31 22:32

#0003 High Levels of Work-time Control Reduce Sickness Absence due to Musculoskeletal Disorders

View More

Most read article

7 days
30 days
6 months
View More

Mini-review Topic series of Occupational Health（JOH）

Coming Soon

Random Articles

2023.12.28 15:04

#E0050 Data sharing in scientific journals: how can we introduce it to environmental and occupational health studies?

2023.04.30 18:32

#0083 Quantitative differences between common occupational health risk assessment models

2023.12.22 16:59

#0128 Hacks for Improved Productivity: Work from Home Edition

2023.04.28 15:35

#0008 Associations between welding fume exposure and neurological function in Japanese male welders and non-welders

2023.05.03 16:16

#0089 Essential, not peripheral: Addressing health care workers’ mental health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic

2023.04.29 17:56

#0040 Letter to the Editor: A randomized clinical trial for neck pain among adults

Discover a more complete picture of readers engage with research in Journal of Occupational Health through Altmetric data. Now available on article pages.