Journal of occupational and environmental medicine
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Our objective was to study the effects of welding fumes and their duration of exposure on lung function. This was a matched case-control cross-sectional study of spirometry in 50 nonsmoking manual metal arc welders who work without the benefit of welding fume control ventilation or respiratory protective devices. ⋯ This effect primarily shows an obstructive pattern of airways disease. Preventive measures in developing countries have to be adopted to avert long-term lung damage in welders.