NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Workers exposed to welding fumes are more likely to develop lung cancer, regardless of other risk factors, such as smoking or exposure to asbestos, a new study suggests.
"The welding fumes were previously classified as cancer-causing," said Dr Denitza Blajev, a researcher at the University of Utah.
"Despite the fact that welders suffer from high rates of lung cancer, there are many other factors, including smoking, exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens, which are likely to contribute to this," Blajev said. Growing danger ".
During the current study, the researchers examined data from 45 previous studies involving about 17 million people.
In general, welders or welders were more likely to develop lung cancer by 43%.
When researchers only examined data on studies focusing on smoking and exposure to asbestos, welding fumes were still associated with an increased risk of lung cancer by 17%.
"It is now clear that the increased risk of lung cancer among welders is not entirely explained by these other factors," Blajev said, "through this study, the welding fumes can be classified as causing cancer to humans."
Around 110 million people worldwide are exposed to welding vapors, both welders and passers-by.