Assessment of respiratory disorders in metal welders in the Dakar region, Senegal

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the presence of respiratory diseases in foundry and welding workers, for this work may be associated with permanent exposure to metal dust and fumes. The study covered 179 welders living in the city of Dakar (Senegal). Their mean age was 30.27 +/- 11.09 years and their mean duration of work activity 11.28 +/- 6.4 years. The results of the survey show that 98.2% of the subjects had no known history of respiratory conditions, while 1.8% reported previous asthma-related disorders. After spirometry, 61.1% of subjects were shown to have respiratory disorders: 42.1% asthma, 10.5% chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and 8.4% restrictive lung disorders. Half of those with asthma were aged between 20 and 30 years and had an average duration of exposure of 6.6 +/- 4.8 years. More than half of the respondents with COPD (70%) were between 30 and 40 years of age and had an average occupational exposure of 17 +/- 8.5 years, while some 75% of subjects with restrictive pulmonary disorders were between 35 and 42 years of age and had 14.3 +/- years of work experience. Welding and foundry working conditions appear to be an important cause of respiratory disorders, especially asthma and COPD.