Tehran University Medical Journal

Background: Welding generates complex metal aerosols, inhalation of which is linked to adverse health effects among welders. Exposure to manganese (Mn) fume in welding processes can have a harmful effect on welders’ health. Long-term, high-level exposure to Mn is associated with impaired central nervous system (CNS) function. The present study aims to investigate relationship between exposure to manganese in welding fumes and incidence of migraine headache symptoms.
Methods: This cross-sectional analytic study was conducted in March 2017 in an Iron Smelting Industry. Forty welders were selected as the exposure group and thirty-five employees were selected from the administrative unit as the control group. Data related to symptoms of migraine headache were collected using with Ahvaz migraine questionnaire (AMQ). Air samples were collected on mixed cellulose ester membrane filters in personal air samplers and then analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) (NIOSH Method 7300).
Results: The average concentration of welder’s exposure to manganese was 7.24±2.91 mg/m3, which is very higher (37 times) than the occupational exposure limit (Threshold limit value-time-weighted average). There was no significant difference between the mean age and work experience of the two groups (P<0.05). Comparison of the mean of migraine headache symptoms in the two groups of welders and office workers also showed that the frequency of these symptoms among welders was significantly higher than those reported by administrative staff (P<0.05). The correlation between the frequency of symptoms of migraine headache and the concentration of manganese in the air of the welders’ respiratory area was statistically significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Frequency of migraine headache symptoms was higher among welders compared to control group. Statistically the significant relationship was found between airborne Manganese concentration and occurrence of migraine headache; however, a conclusive conclusion is based on more comprehensive studies with larger sample size.