95 Welding fume exposure and biomonitoring of blood metals and inflammatory markers in exhaled breath condensate among professional welders

Abstract Welding exposes workers to complex metal oxide fumes that can induce oxidative stress and contribute to respiratory and systemic inflammation. In this study, 73 welders (42 male) were recruited from the Canadian Boilermakers Union across Alberta, Ontario, and Nova Scotia, and 34 non-exposed participants (18 male). Personal air sampling quantified airborne metal concentrations and enabled calculation of short-term and cumulative inhaled dose metrics. Blood samples and exhaled breath condensate were analysed for metal levels and inflammatory biomarkers. The study aims to compare blood metal concentrations between welders and controls, assess pre/ post-shift changes, evaluate the correlation between blood metal levels and cumulative inhaled dose, and examine association with inflammatory markers to identify potential exposure biomarkers. Blood and EBC samples were collected pre/ post-shift, while personal and area air samples were collected during shift. Metals in blood and air were quantified, and oxidative potential of area air samples was assessed. Inflammatory biomarkers were measured in plasma and EBC. Preliminary results show a significant increase in vanadium from pre/post-shift. Male welders had higher pre/post-shift blood of Co, Fe, Mn, Pb, V, and Zn compared to controls (P < 0.05), whereas not in female welders, showing different pharmacokinetics in male and female. For female welders, only Al, Fe, and V blood differed significantly pre/post-shift versus controls. Vanadium was not detected in controls and was more elevated in female welders than males. EBC 8-isoprostane was not detected in any samples. More data are coming on biomarkers in blood and EBC. These findings suggest vanadium may be a potential biomarker of welding fume exposure.