Acute decrease in HDL cholesterol associated with exposure to welding fumes.

Abstract

To investigate acute changes in circulating lipids after exposure to relatively high levels of particulate matter through welding. Using a repeated measures panel study, lipid levels before and after welding and personal exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were measured in 36 male welders over 63 exposure and/or control days. There was a trend toward decrease in HDL (-2.3 mg/dL, P = 0.08) 18 hours after welding. This effect became significant (-2.6 mg/dL, P = 0.05) after adjustment for possible confounders. The effect was strongest (-4.3 mg/dL, P = 0.02) among welders who did not weld the day before the study. There were no significant changes in other lipids associated with welding or PM2.5 exposure. Welding exposure was associated with an acute decrease in circulating HDL, which may relate to the inflammatory and proatherosclerotic effects of fine particle exposure.