Tehran University of Medical Sciences Acta Medica Iranica 0044-6025 49 2 2011 02 15 98 102 EN Seyed Akbar Sharifian Department of Occupational Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Ziba Loukzadeh Department of Occupational Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. Ahmad Shojaoddiny-Ardekani Department of Occupational Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. Omid Aminian Department of Occupational Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2015 09 28 Welding is one of the key components of numerous manufacturing industries, which has potential physical and chemical health hazards. Many components of welding fumes can potentially affect the lung function. This study investigates the effects of welding fumes on lung function and respiratory symptoms among welders of an automobile manufacturing plant in Iran. This historical cohort study assesses 43 male welders and 129 office workers by a questionnaire to record demographic data, smoking habits, work history and respiratory symptoms as well as lung function status by spirometry. The average pulmonary function values of welders were lower relative to controls with dose-effect relationship between work duration and pulmonary function impairment. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was higher in welders than controls. Our findings suggest that welders are at risk for pulmonary disease. https://acta.tums.ac.ir/index.php/acta/article/view/3701 https://acta.tums.ac.ir/index.php/acta/article/download/3701/3676