Chemical Pneumonitis Caused by the Inhalation of Zinc Oxide Fumes in an Arc Welder.
Eun-Woo ChaDoosoo JeonDong-Mug KangYoung-Ki KimSe-Yeong KimPublished in: International journal of environmental research and public health (2022)
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.
Keyphrases
- oxide nanoparticles
- computed tomography
- oxidative stress
- interstitial lung disease
- intensive care unit
- liver failure
- stem cells
- magnetic resonance
- rheumatoid arthritis
- case report
- high dose
- physical activity
- drug induced
- positron emission tomography
- dna damage
- signaling pathway
- systemic sclerosis
- mesenchymal stem cells
- diabetic rats
- inflammatory response
- heat shock protein