Chemical Pneumonitis Caused by the Inhalation of Zinc Oxide Fumes in an Arc Welder

Eun-Woo Cha, Doosoo Jeon, Dongmug Kang, Young-Ki Kim and Se-Yeong Kim
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Eun-Woo Cha: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea
Doosoo Jeon: Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea
Dongmug Kang: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea
Young-Ki Kim: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea
Se-Yeong Kim: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-7

Abstract: Acute respiratory illness caused by exposure to welding-associated zinc oxide fumes is known as metal fume fever (MFF). MFF is generally characterized as a self-limiting disease. Few studies have reported chemical pneumonitis associated with zinc fume inhalation. We report a case study involving severe episodes of MFF accompanied by chemical pneumonitis due to the inhalation of zinc oxide fumes while operating an arc welder. A 54-year-old man developed flu-like symptoms after arc welding galvanized steel in a poorly ventilated area. Despite intravenous antibiotics therapy, his clinical course worsened, and his urine zinc concentration was remarkably elevated (3579 μg/24 h; reference range, 0–616 μg/24 h). A chest computed tomography revealed extensive consolidation, ground-glass opacity in the lungs, and right pleural effusion. After corticosteroid treatment, the patient’s symptoms and radiologic findings significantly improved. It should be noted that the inhalation of zinc oxide fumes can occasionally induce acute lung injury via inflammatory responses and oxidative stress.

Keywords: chemical pneumonitis; zinc oxide fumes; welding (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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