Associations between Biomarkers of Metal Exposure and Dry Eye Metrics in Shipyard Welders: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ying-Hsi Liou, Ying-Jen Chen, Wei-Liang Chen, Kuan-Ying Li, Ting-Yu Chou, Yung-Chi Huang, Chung-Ching Wang and Ching-Huang Lai
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Ying-Hsi Liou: School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Ying-Jen Chen: Department of Ophthalmology, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Wei-Liang Chen: School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Kuan-Ying Li: Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, 161 Min-Chuan E. Rd., Sec. 6, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Ting-Yu Chou: Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, 161 Min-Chuan E. Rd., Sec. 6, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Yung-Chi Huang: Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, 161 Min-Chuan E. Rd., Sec. 6, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Chung-Ching Wang: School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan
Ching-Huang Lai: Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, 161 Min-Chuan E. Rd., Sec. 6, Taipei 114, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 4, 1-12

Abstract: Shipyard welders are often exposed to welding metal fumes. Ocular surfaces are continually exposed to environmental hazards. However, limited information on the associations between metal exposure and dry eye metrics in occupational settings is available. This study employed a cross-sectional design that involved the participation of 59 welders and 25 administrative staff in a shipyard in northern Taiwan from September 2020 to October 2020. The participants’ individual information, laboratory data, exposure to particulate matter < 2.5 μm, urinary, and toenail metal concentrations were collected. Dry eye metrics were evaluated using standardized questionnaires and a noninvasive ocular surface analyzer. Urinary V and Cr and toenail V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, As, and Cd and Pb were significantly higher in the exposed group than in the control group. After adjustment for confounding factors, dry eye metrics were associated with urinary Cd (β = 0.407; p = 0.007) and toenail Pb (β = 0.482; p = 0.002). The participants with higher urinary Cd exhibited higher odds ratios for elevated dry eye metrics. Our study revealed that exposure to welding procedures increases several metal biomarkers. In addition, urinary Cd, and toenail Pb might be related to dry eye disease in shipyard welders.

Keywords: PM 2.5; metals; welding fume; dry eye (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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