Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (한국산업보건학회지)

Korean Industrial Hygiene Association (한국산업보건학회)
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A Case Report on Lung Cancer Caused by Exposure to Welding Fumes in Korea

폐암 발생 용접공의 유해물질 노출 평가 및 폐암 원인에 관한 고찰

  • Yi, Gwang Yong (Dept. of Industrial Health and Hygiene, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute) ;
  • Park, Seung Hyun (Dept. of Industrial Health and Hygiene, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute) ;
  • Lee, Na Roo (Dept. of Industrial Health and Hygiene, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute) ;
  • Kwon, Eun Hye (Dept. of Industrial Health and Hygiene, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute) ;
  • Lee, Yong Hag (Dept. of Industrial Health and Hygiene, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute) ;
  • Choi, Jung Keun (Dept. of Industrial Health and Hygiene, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute) ;
  • You, Ki Ho (Dept. of Industrial Health and Hygiene, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute) ;
  • Park, Jungsun (Dept. of Industrial Health and Hygiene, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute) ;
  • Jeong, Ho Keun (Dept. of Industrial Health and Hygiene, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute) ;
  • Shin, Yong Chul (Dept. of Occupational Safety and Health, Inje University)
  • Received : 1999.10.02
  • Accepted : 2000.02.28
  • Published : 2000.05.10
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Abstract

The purpose of this case study is to report a case of lung cancer with exposure to welding fumes of welders in Korea and to demonstrate the causal relationship with exposure to welding fumes, especially with nickel and hexavalent chromium. The case is 47 years old, and had been engaged in welding, gas cutting, grinding and gousing on mild, stainless steel and nickel steel for 11 years from 1982 to 1993, and have been engaged in cleaning steel rollers with a cleaning oil in the same work shop since 1993. The level of welding fume exceeded the occupational exposure limit of $5mg/m^3$ established by the Korean Ministry of Labor and American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Especially, detectable hexavalent chromium and nickel was generated during welding, gousing on stainless and nickel steel. However, there was no ventilation systems(local and dilution) and no personal protection. There is several evidence that the past (1983-1993) exposure would be higher than the present. In conclusion, the lung case could be associated with his task including welding, gousing, and this association could be attributed to carcinogenic potential of the nickel and chromium in the fume.

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