Risk assessment of Nitrogen Dioxide exposure on Welders

This study evaluated the hazard caused by $NO_{2}$, an oxidant generated in the process of welding. We com­pared hematological and biochemical parameters in workers who chronically inhale $NO_{2}$ and office workers not exposed to $NO_{2}$. $NO_{2}$ exposure affected the hematological and biochemical parameters. Increasing $NO_{2}$ concen­trationincreased the number of leukocytes, while decreasing the number of erythrocytes. Blood urea nitrogen, cre­atinine, uric acid, and lactate dehydrogenase were increased, while total protein and triglycerides were decreased. The mean concentration of $NO_{x}(NO_{2}^{-}/NO_{3}^{-})$ in the serum of welders and the control group was $35.97{\pm}2.85\;and\;55.40{\pm}5.81\;{\mu}mol/L,$ respectively. The difference was significant (p < 0.05), although $NO_{2}^{-}$ was not detected in the serum.