Objectives: To study if adverse effects of welding fume exposure is more pronounced in individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, spirometry, oscillometry, multiple breath washout (MBW), and diffusing capacity were tested in 44 exposed workers and 62 unexposed individuals. A history of COVID-19 was present in 34% of exposed and 68% of unexposed individuals. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test and multiple regression analyses. Results: Welding fume exposure was significantly associated with increased small airway resistance (R 5-20 ), assessed by oscillometry, while exposure combined with past COVID-19 was associated with increased ventilation heterogeneity in the small conducting airways, as assessed by MBW, and reduced diffusing capacity. Conclusions: Welding-fume-exposed individuals with prior COVID-19 had more pronounced small airway impairment, as assessed by MBW, than exposed workers with no COVID-19 history.
Kjellberg et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
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