Smelting and refining operations - 428 entries found

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1983

CIS 85-763 Medvedeva V.N.
Structure and function of the mucosa of the stomach and duodenum in aluminium smelter workers
Struktura i funkcija slizistoj oboločki želudka i dvenadcatiperstnoj kiški u rabočih aljuminievogo proizvodstva [in Russian]
A study of 157 workers, including potroom workers and workers engaged in dust collection and fluoride salt production. Gastrointestinal pathology was found in 96.8% of the workers. Chronic gastritis was the most frequent symptom, with both the presence and absence of fluorosis. Gastritis developed like ulcers, with erosion of the gastric mucosa in 15.7% of the workers without fluorosis and 34.4% of the fluorotic workers. Workers exposed to fluorine compounds often had duodenal ulcers. Preventive measures must be reinforced, and efforts should be made toward the early detection of chronic gastritis and ulcers.
Gigiena truda i professional'nye zabolevanija, Nov. 1983, No.11, p.25-28. 6 ref.

CIS 85-642 Germoni F.A.
Centralised exhaust system for cleaning extracted air (gas) with high concentrations of dust
Centralizovannaja vytjažnaja sistema dlja obespylivanija aspiracionnogo vozduha (gaza) s vysokimi koncentracijami pyli [in Russian]
Description and drawing of a centralised dust-collecting system for an ore-crushing plant. 5-6 local exhaust hoods are connected in sequence to a plenum chamber, a tube coagulator and a cyclone/scrubber unit; 3 cyclones are connected to a single central fan, which exhausts through a stack. Such a system can move 165,000m³ air/h while reducing the dust concentration from 5-6g/m³ to 0.08-0.1g/m³. Whereas current systems with this level of performance consume electricity at a rate of 1.0-1.1kWh/1000m³, the centralised system consumes only 0.7-0.8kWh/1000m³.
Gornyj žurnal, May 1983, No.5, p.51-53. Illus. 7 ref.

CIS 85-343 Fes'kov M.I., Dmitrienko N.N.
Fanless dust removal at transfer points on belt conveyors
Bezventiljatornyj pyleotsos na peregruzočnyh punktah lentočnyh konvejerov [in Russian]
Transfer points on belt conveyors are enclosed, and dust arising in the enclosure is collected by a water spray. The spray heads form a horizontal array across the whole width of the enclosure, and are directed against baffles which likewise extend all the way across the enclosure. This configuration ensures that the air within the enclosure circulates uniformly through the water spray. Entrained dust is continuously washed from the baffles into a collecting pan and piped away. The system consumes about 0.3L of water for every cubic metre of air moved (air speed ≤2.4m/s). In field trials, dust levels at a transfer point were reduced from 2500-3000mg/m to 8-9mg/m³. The system is especially suitable for ore enrichment and grinding/screening operations.
Gornyj žurnal, Jan. 1983, No.1, p.60-61. Illus.

CIS 84-1582 Pavlina R., Lamb B.
Infiltration of roof exhaust gases into aluminium potrooms
Atmospheric tracer techniques were used in 21 tests to determine infiltration rates of roof exhaust gases in downwind potrooms at an aluminium reduction plant during 2 summer months. Tracer concentrations were measured along the ventilation doors of downwind rooms. Maximum infiltration rates were <5% of the tracer release rate. Maximum infiltration occurred along the upwind side of the first downwind room in two-thirds of the cases and along the downwind edge of the same room where tracer was released in one-third of the tests. For rooms further downwind the infiltration rate was <1%.
Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association, Oct. 1983, Vol.33, No.10, p.974-979. Illus. 5 ref.

CIS 84-1722 Sheehy J.W.
Occupational health control technology for the primary aluminum industry
In surveys of 12 US and 2 Japanese primary aluminium reduction process plants the levels of fluorides in the potrooms, hydrocarbon vapours in the green carbon plant, sulfur dioxide and hydrocarbons in the carbon bake plant, airborne particulates in ore handling operations, and metal dust and fumes in the rodding room were measured. Effective control technology for minimising worker exposure in selected areas was investigated. The total fluoride level can be controlled at <2.5mg/m³, but concentrations of coal tar pitch volatiles exceeded 0.20mg/m³ even in the better controlled green carbon plants.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIOSH, Robert A. Taft Laboratories, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA, June 1983. 53p. Illus. 6 ref.

CIS 84-1721 Ljah G.D.
Physiological and hygienic assessment of working conditions in the oxygen-flash electrothermal smelting of copper-zinc concentrates
Fiziologo-gigieničeskaja ocenka uslovij truda pri kislorodnovzvešennoj ciklonnoj ėlektrotermičeskoj plavke medno-cinkovyh koncentratov [in Russian]
12 neurological and physiological parameters were measured before, during and after shifts in workers engaged in the title process. Concentrations of dust and 8 inorganic contaminants were measured in workplace air. Ambient temperature and humidity were determined. The workload of the workers was determined photochronometrically. By all measures, the given process provides better working conditions than alternative processes in the copper industry. Screening of intense sources of radiant heat and good local ventilation contribute to the improved conditions. Working conditions would be further improved by reduction of ambient temperatures in the workplace during the summer.
Gigiena truda i professional'nye zabolevanija, Jan. 1983, No.1, p.6-9. 4 ref.

CIS 84-1422 Thériault G., Tremblay C., Gingras S.
Bladder cancer in aluminum smelter workers
Epidemiologic study of the hospital records of 85 cases of bladder cancer and 255 controls matched for work location, date of birth, date of hire and number of years worked in an aluminium smelter. The period covered was 1970 to 1979. Söderberg process potroom workers were found to be the most at risk (2.39 standardised overall mortality ratio). Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (released from electrodes) seems to be the factor responsible. Cigarette smoking contributed significantly to the appearance of bladder cancer in the population studied.
School of Occupational Health, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, Quebec H3A 2K6, Canada, 1983. 76p.

CIS 84-1363 Rockette H.E., Arena V.C.
Mortality studies of aluminium reduction plant workers: Potroom and carbon department
21,829 workers with 5 or more years employment at 14 reduction plants were studied. Quarterly reports were reviewed by a tripartite committee consisting of representatives from labour, government and management. There were indications of a higher-than-expected mortality for pancreatic cancer, lymphohaematopoietic cancer, genito-urinary cancer, non-malignant respiratory disease, and benign and unspecified neoplasms.
Journal of Occupational Medicine, July 1983, Vol.25, No.7, p.549-557. 17 ref.

CIS 84-1357 Chiesura Corona P., Trevisan A., Buzzo A., Moretto A.
Biological monitoring of exposure of workers in the cadmium metallurgy
Monitoraggio biologico dell'esposizione in addetti alla metallurgia del cadmio [in Italian]
24 workers classified according to exposure to cadmium during electrolytic extraction were studied. Cadmium exposure was presumed very high in 1975-77 and was near TLV concentrations in 1980, after technical improvements had been undertaken. Blood and urinary cadmium concentrations correlated with cumulative and with current exposure. Urinary proteins, β₂-microglobulins and tubular reabsorption of β₂-microglobulins showed statistically significant changes in the most exposed group, but there were no clear signs of kidney damage. Urinary enzymes, especially angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), correlated well with increasing cadmium load. Urinary loss of a ACE appears to be an early sign of tubular involvement. Results confirm that the biological TLVs (10µg/l Cd in the blood and 10µg/g creatinine for Cd in urine) provide reliable protection.
Medicina del lavoro, Sep.-Oct. 1983, Vol.74, No.5, p.404-413. Illus. 18 ref.

CIS 84-1335 Kirkby H., Nielsen C.J., Nielsen V.K., Gyntelberg F.
Subjective symptoms after long-term lead exposure in secondary lead smelting workers
92 men and 4 women replied to a questionnaire and were compared with matched non-exposed controls. Blood lead concentrations were 60µg/100ml in approx. 30% of the lead workers (the mean for the control group was 11µg/100ml), and zinc protoporphyrin levels were: 500µmol/mol Hb in nearly 18% of the lead workers (control mean: 68µmol/mol Hb). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of fatigue, headache, sleep disturbances and digestive disturbances; nervousness was 4 times more prevalent among controls. Subjective symptoms are useless as indicators of incipient lead poisoning.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine, Aug. 1983, Vol.40, No.3, p.314-317. 11 ref.

CIS 84-1081 Duffield D.P., Paddle G.M., Woolhead G.
A mortality study of non-malignant genitourinary tract diseases in electrolytic mercury cell room employees
466 death certificates for the period 1945-60 and 139 for 1972-79 were studied. In the first period there was an excess of genito-urinary tract disease in mercury-exposed workers; in the second period no excess of deaths from renal disease due to mercury was revealed.
Journal of the Society of Occupational Medicine, 3 July 1983, Vol.33, No.3, p.137-140. 6 ref.

CIS 84-1070 Lauwerys R., Roels H., Buchet J.P., Bernard A.A., Verhoeven L., Konings J.
The influence of orally-administered vitamin C or zinc on the absorption of and the biological response to lead
At a lead smelter, 39 workers were given 1g vitamin C daily, 11 were given 60mg zinc daily, and matched controls received a placebo. When exposure to inorganic lead is moderate and there are no nutritional deficiencies, oral supplementation with vitamin C or zinc does not affect the metabolism of or biological response to lead.
Journal of Occupational Medicine, Sep. 1983, Vol.25, No.9, p.668-678. Illus. 43 ref.

CIS 84-1184 Keyserling W.M.
Occupational injuries and work experience
A population of 344 volunteer workers at an aluminium smelting plant was studied by monitoring visits to the works medical clinic. Subjects were designated as incumbent (>1 year of experience); recent hire (3 months <1 year); or probationary (<3 months). Cases were assigned to the categories non-specific, skin trauma, and overexertion. The relationship between occupational injury rates and work experience followed the shape of an inverted U with the recent hire group suffering the highest injury rate, and the probationary group the lowest.
Journal of Safety Research, Spring 1983, Vol.14, No.1, p.37-42. 13 ref.

CIS 84-743 Potkonjak V., Vishnjich V.
Antimoniosis: A particular form of pneumoconiosis - I. Etiology, clinical and X-ray findings II. Experimental investigation
Studies in 51 workers at an antimony smelting plant are presented. Airborne dust contained up to 88% antimony trioxide, as well as the pentoxide. The X-ray picture was characterised by numerous small opacities in the middle and lower lung fields. Pneumoconiotic changes developed after a minimum of 10 years' exposure. Clinical findings and lung function were indistiguishable from other types of simple pneumoconiosis. Chronic cough was present in 60.8% of workers, and conjunctivitis and upper airway inflammation also occurred. Complications of pneumoconiosis were chronic bronchitis, emphysema, inactive tuberculosis, and pleural adhesions. Antimony dermatosis was present in 32 of the workers. In a pilot experiment 0.5ml antimony oxide dust (tri- and pentoxide) was injected intraperitoneally and endotracheally in rats. Pneumoconiotic changes of a non-collagenous nature were seen.
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, Mar./Apr. 1983, Vol.51, No.3, p.199-207, and No.4, p.299-303. Illus. 13 ref.

CIS 84-433 Seim H.J., Dickeson J.A.
A device for collecting replicate industrial hygiene samples in the workplace
This device, capable of collecting simultaneously 5 field samples, consist of a cylindrical mixing chamber with a mixing fan at the air inlet at one end and 5 limiting orifices at the other end. The orifices can be connected to 5 filter cassettes or cassette/sorbent tube sampling trains. The system has been used for determining total particulates, benzene solubles and aromatic hydrocarbons in aluminium reduction plants. Reproducibility of the combined sampling and analytical steps is 5%.
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, Aug. 1983, Vol.44, No.8, p.562-566. Illus. 6 ref.

CIS 84-504 Neri L.C., Hewitt D., Johansen H.
Health effects of low level occupational exposure to lead: The Trail, British Columbia Study
245 lead smelters and their wives and 144 controls were studied. Average blood lead (PbH) values were 41.3 and 33.2µg/dl in directly and indirectly exposed workers, respectively, and 15.5µg/dl in controls. Male smokers had significantly higher PbB levels than non-smokers. There were significant correlations between PbB and insomnia, weakness in arms or legs, heartburn/indigestion, shakes, and pain in bones/joints. After a 4-month interruption of plant activity, PbB levels were measured before, and 1, 2 and 4 months after smelting operations resumed. Blood levels stabilised after 1 month's operation.
Archives of Environmental Health, May-June 1983, Vol.38, No3, p.180-189. Illus. 56 ref.

CIS 84-492 Gompertz D., Fletcher J.G., Perkins J., Smith N.J., Chettle D.R., Mason H., Scott M.C., Topping M.D., Blindt M.
Renal dysfunction in cadmium smelters: Relation to in-vivo liver and kidney cadmium concentrations
Biochemical indicators of renal dysfunction were compared with liver and kidney Cd levels in 37 cadmium smelters. Higher than normal concentrations of Cd in the liver reflect past exposure: they were associated with evidence of renal dysfunction in workers exposed to Cd for >10 years. 6 workers exposed for a mean of 4.6 years had high hepatic Cd concentrations but normal renal function. The rapid accumulation of Cd in the liver of these workers is a cause for concern. Monitoring strategies should be designed to obtain maximum information concerning the Cd status of individual workers and their renal function.
Lancet, 28 May 1983, Vol.1, N.8335, p.1185-1187. 4 ref.

CIS 84-182 Chan-Yeung M., Wong R., Tan F., Enarson D., Schulzer M., Subbarao K., Knickerbocker J., Grzybowski S.
Epidemiologic health study of workers in an aluminium smelter in Kitimat, B.C. II. Effects on musculoskeletal and other systems
2066 smelter workers were studied, including 880 non-exposed workers from the same plant (internal controls), with 372 railway repair workers as external controls. Total atmospheric fluoride levels were below the current TLV of 2.5mg/m³. While no definite cases of skeletal fluorosis were found among potroom workers, some of the early changes of skeletal fluorosis were seen in the pelvic x-rays of workers employed on the potlines for >10 years. No ill effects on the haematopoietic tissue or liver and renal function were found.
Archives of Environmental Health, Jan.-Feb. 1983, Vol.38, No.1, p.34-40. 8 ref.

CIS 83-1903 Fisher D.R., Jackson P.O., Brodaczynski G.G., Scherpelz R.I.
Levels of ²³⁴U, ²³⁸U and ²³⁰Th in excreta of uranium mill crushermen
Urine and faecal samples were obtained from 14 active crushermen with long histories of exposure to uranium ore dust, 4 retired workers and 3 control individuals. Radiochemical procedures were used to separate out the uranium and thorium fractions which were then electroplated on stainless steel discs and assayed by α-spectrometry. ²³⁰Th is preferentially retained in the body and is cleared with a longer biological half-time than either ²³⁴U or ²³⁸U. Uranium and thorium in respirable ore dust appear to undergo a physical separation in the body following lung deposition and have distinctly different metabolic pathways and transfer rates between various organs.
Health Physics, Sep. 1983, Vol.45, No.3, p.617-629. Illus. 6 ref.

CIS 83-1717 Kang H.K., Infante P.F., Carra J.S.
Determination of blood-lead elimination patterns of primary lead smelter workers
Patterns of peripheral blood lead (PbB) elimination were characterised for workers at 4 primary lead smelters who had been removed from their jobs under medical protection provisions. Of the 4 mathematical models used to analyse elimination data, the exponential model, based on first-order kinetics, was most consistent and showed the highest degree of correlation with elimination patterns. No significant relationship was found between the rate of PbB decrease and the length of employment prior to removal, the preremoval PbB level, or the job categories of workers. The necessary time period for medical removal under a 60/40µg/100g trigger would be in the range 2-4 months for 50%, and 3-6 months for 80% of workers removed.
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 1983, Vol.11, No.2, p.199-210. 7 ref.

CIS 83-1690 Wong O., Foliart D., Morgan R.W.
Critical evaluation of epidemiological studies of nickel-exposed workers - Final report
A review of 36 published and unpublished papers, mostly concerning nickel refinery workers. Other occupational groups covered include welders, engine-factory workers, miners, metal platers, nickel alloy workers, and workers exposed to high-purity metallic nickel powder at a nuclear energy facility; residents of communities surrounding nickel refineries have also been studied. The strongest of the studies show a clear association of nasal and lung cancer with exposure during sintering and calcining processes. Specific agents or processes responsible for the elevated risk are not, however, obvious. Existing studies do not support the identification of carcinogenic nickel compounds in NIOSH Criteria Document 77-164. It appears that nickel-exposed workers may be at elevated risk of laryngeal and prostatic cancer. Knowledge of the health effects of nickel would be greatly improved by updating existing cohort studies at 5- or 10-year intervals, and by undertaking large-scale case-control studies of nasal and lung cancers with detailed exposure histories.
Environmental Health Associates, 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 414, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA, 7 Feb. 1983. 148p. 74 ref.

1982

CIS 85-1063 Thériault G., Gingras S., Provencher S.
Skin telangiectases in Alcan Smelters and Chemicals Ltd. workers at Shawinigan works
This follow-up study was aimed at identifying the causal agent of previously observed high rates of telangiectases among workers of an aluminium smelter in Shawinigan, Quebec, and evaluating the efficiency of preventive measures. Unidentified gases, including fluorides and hydrocarbons, emitted by the pots and sweating were seen as the probable causes of telangiectases. Wearing of respiratory protection was effective in preventing the problem.
Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Laval University, Québec, Que., Canada, 1982. 87p. Illus. Bibl.

CIS 84-738 The measurement of employee exposures in aluminium reduction plants
Contents of this document, prepared by the Health Committee of the IPAI: principal contaminants in the various shops of an aluminium reduction plant; properties and toxicology of the contaminants; sampling strategies and methods for sampling and analysis. Principles and a list of exposure limits for airborne contaminants established in different countries are appended.
International Primary Aluminium Institute, New Zealand House, Haymarket, London SW1Y 4TQ, United Kingdom, June 1982. 52p. Illus. Bibl. Price: £8.25.

CIS 84-499 Welch K., Higgins I., Oh M., Burchfiel C.
Arsenic exposure, smoking, and respiratory cancer in copper smelter workers
The vital status of 1800 men from an original cohort of over 8000 copper smelter workers who, in 1969, had shown a 3-fold excess of respiratory cancer was determined. There was a clear dose-response relationship between arsenic exposure and respiratory cancer mortality. Men exposed to ≥5000µg/m³ had a 7-fold excess. Ceiling As exposure seemed to be more important than TWA exposure. Sulfur dioxide and asbestos did not seem to be implicated. Smoking was less important than As exposure, nor was there evidence of an interaction. The problems of estimating As exposure are discussed.
Archives of Environmental Health, Nov.-Dec. 1982, Vol.37, No.6, p.325-335. 12 ref.

CIS 84-456 Boysen M., Solberg L.A., Andersen I., Høgetveit A.C., Torjussen W.
Nasal histology and nickel concentration in plasma and urine after improvements in the work environment at a nickel refinery in Norway
Following a study 4 years previously, 98 nickel refinery workers were reexamined and 33 of the original 38 workers with nasal epithelial dysplasia were studied for possible regression of the histological changes. Improved environmental conditions had lowered plasma and urine nickel concentrations by approx. 50%. The mean histological score (based on a scale from pseudostratified epithelium to dysplasia) and frequency of dysplasia hardly varied in the 2 examinations. Nasal biopsies are of limited value in the examination of individual cases, but the method may be of value in identifying and monitoring groups of persons with increased risk of developing nasal carcinoma.
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, Dec. 1982, Vol.8, No.4, p.283-289. Illus. 18 ref.

CIS 83-1927 Trevisan A., Buzzo A., Gori G.P.
Biological indicators of low zinc concentration in occupational exposure
Indici biologici nell'esposizione professionale a basse concentrazioni di zinco [in Italian]
Zinc levels were measured in the whole blood, plasma and urine of 112 workers (of whom 23 were controls) in a cadmium and zinc smelting plant, where the zinc oxide concentration in the air (0.01-1.4mg/m³) was below the TLV (5mg/m³). No significant changes in zinc concentration were found in the whole blood, but they were found in the plasma and the urine, with correlation between findings by the 2 types of measurement. It is suggested that determination of zinc is best done by plasma or urine monitoring.
Medicina del lavoro, Nov.-Dec. 1982, Vol.73, No.6, p.614-618. Illus. 12 ref.

CIS 83-1370 Andersen A., Dahlberg B.E., Magnus K., Wannag A.
Risk of cancer in the Norwegian aluminium industry
In a study of mortality and cancer incidence involving 7,410 male workers in the primary aluminium industry from 1953-79, 428 new cases of cancer were found compared with 412.2 expected. The only statistically significant difference for the 4 plants investigated was for lung cancer, with 57 cases observed against 35.9 expected. The increased risk occurred in 2 subgroups, one of workers with a short duration of employment and the other of workers with a very long duration in the older plants. Interpretation of the results is complicated by the selection of an appropriate reference population for estimation of the expected number of lung cancer cases, and by incomplete information on individual occupational histories and on smoking habits. Evidence of an excess risk of cancer for workers with long periods of employment in the newer plants will not be available for another 10-20 years.
International Journal of Cancer, Oct. 1982, Vol.29, No.3, p.295-298.

CIS 83-1124 Lerner S., Gartside P., Roy B.
Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin, zinc protoporphyrin and blood lead in newly re-exposed smelter workers: A prospective study
The relations between these parameters were evaluated for 50 weeks in a group of workers who were removed from lead exposure for 10 weeks. Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) continued to fall in spite of rising blood lead levels (Pb-B) on re-exposure. Wide confidence limits prevent meaningful predictions of Pb-B from FEP or ZPP for an individual. Pb-B is a better index of exposure than FEP or ZPP, especially when exposure is not stable.
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, July 1982, Vol.43, No.7, p.516-519. Illus. 9 ref.

CIS 83-1112 Karai I., Nishikawa N., Horiguchi S.
Optic atrophy with visual field defect in a worker occupationally exposed to lead for 30 years
This case report clarifies the dose-effect relationship between lead (Pb) exposure levels and optic atrophy in a 53-year old male worker employed at a Pb refining factory. Pb exposure was monitored over a 30-year period, and long-term exposure levels were above the recommended threshold limits of 0.15mg/m³. The patient was exposed to high Pb doses in his 20's and 30's. Ocular examination revealed paracentral scotomas in both eyes which did not change in a 3 year period in spite of EDTA therapy.
Journal of Toxicology - Clinical Toxicology, 1982, Vol.19, No.4, p.409-418. Illus. 11 ref.

CIS 83-1046 Gerhardsson L., Brune D., Nordberg G.F., Wester P.O.
Antimony in lung, liver and kidney tissue from deceased smelter workers
Neutron activation analysis was used in these studies, which revealed lung concentrations of antimony (Sb) 12 times those of controls. There was no tendency for lung concentrations to decrease with time (up to 20 years), indicating a long biological half-life. The highest values were found in workers who had worked at roasters and in the arsenic and selenium departments. Sb concentrations of liver and renal cortex tissue did not differ from control values.
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, Sep. 1982, Vol.8, No.3, p.201-208. 35 ref.

CIS 83-1038 Kubo T., Komoike Y., Kumazawa Y., Horiguchi S., Takano Y.
Blood and urine test of lead workers - Report 2, centered on erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) and urinary delta-amino levulinic acid
Subjective symptoms, blood and urine specimens were examined in 286 workers aged 18-60 in refining/smelting plants. 24.8% excreted more than 7mg/dl ALA, and 44.1% more than 30µg/dl ZPP. Anaemia was quite frequently observed in the older groups; abnormal coproporphyrin was excreted in heat-exposed, electrolytic, and subcontract workers; abnormal ALA was found in male subcontract and heat-exposed workers, and ZPP was relatively high in male subcontract, blast-furnace, and heat-exposed workers.
Sumitomo Bulletin of Industrial Health, Apr. 1982, No.18, p.61-78. Illus. 30 ref.

CIS 83-745 Lidums V., Lundberg I., Sjögren B.
Aluminium in the blood and urine of industrially exposed workers
Aluminium i blod och urin hos industriellt exponerade arbetare [in Swedish]
Blood and urine aluminium concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry in workers exposed to aluminium in industry, and in dialysis patients. Mentally healthy dialysis patients had the highest blood aluminium concentrations. Aluminium welders and workers making aluminium powder and aluminium sulfate all had higher blood and urine concentrations than the matched controls. Persons working on the electrolytic production of aluminium had higher urine concentrations than controls from the same geographic area, but blood concentrations did not differ.
Arbetarskyddsstyrelsen, Publikationsservice, 171 84 Solna, Sweden, 1982. 18p. Illus. 18 ref.

CIS 83-634
Commission of the European Communities, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Education
Oxygen - Oxygen in the iron and steel industry
Oxygène - L'oxygène en sidérurgie [in French]
Safety rules are set out relating to: manually controlled and regulated outlets for miscellaneous use normally intended for supply to oxyacetylene burners for welding, oxyacetylene cutting and scarfing, and hand burning, deplugging or cutting lances (design and location of outlets); air enrichment; use of pure oxygen in steelworks (oxygen used without additives, oxygen used with powdered lime, bottom blowing with coolant, oxygen burners, oxygen lances).
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, P.O. Box 1003, Luxembourg, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, 1982. 26p. Illus. Price: BF.150.00.

CIS 83-523 Olejár Š., Olejárová E., Vrábel K.
Lung tumours in workers in a nickel refinery
Neoplazie pl'úc u pracovníkov niklovej huty [in Slovak]
A retrospective study, covering the period 1971-80, on the incidence of lung cancer in workers in a nickel refining plant revealed 8 cases of lung cancer confirmed by biopsy. The average annual incidence in the plant in question was from 1.48 to 1.86 times higher than in the neighbouring area or in Slovakia. The greatest differences were found in the 50 to 60 age group where the incidence was 4.6 to 5.4 times higher than anticipated. In view of the limited number of cases reviewed, these results are evaluated with caution, and the possible influence of other factors is envisaged.
Pracovní lékařství, Sep. 1982, Vol.34, No.8, p.280-282. 18 ref.

CIS 83-433 Eliander C.G.
Criteria document for threshold limit values: Aluminium
Kriteriedokument för gränsvärden: Aluminium [in Swedish]
This literature survey presents evidence for health hazards of aluminium (Al) which had long been considered as non-toxic and non-absorbable from the gastro-intestinal tract. Sections cover: physical and chemical properties; methods of analysis; production, uses, and specific health hazards met with in Al electrolysis plants; occurrence of Al in the environment; metabolism (absorption, distribution, excretion, Al concentrations in human tissues, blood and urine monitoring as exposure tests); effects on respiratory system (restrictive ventilatory impairment due to dust-induced lung fibrosis), central nervous system and skeleton; tabulation of dose-response relations. Exposure to respirable Al dust > 1-5mg/m³ may give rise to aluminosis.
Arbetarskyddsstyrelsen, Publikationsservice, 171 84 Solna, Sweden, 1982. 31p. 91 ref.

CIS 83-6 Musson Y.
Working on cranes - An investigation in an iron and steelworks
Werken op de kraan - Een onderzoek bij Hoogovens [in Dutch]
Abridged version of a report elaborated for the trade union of the largest Netherlands iron and steelworks. Sections cover: the right to good conditions of work; working on cranes (work involving responsibility, additional stress by reading instructions displayed on CRT screens); complaints about vibration and jerks (health hazards, involvement of inner organs); investigation into vibration and jerks on cranes (especially overhead travelling cranes: questionnaire survey of subjective complaints, causes of vibration and jerks); backache, joint disorders, sitting discomfort and stomach pains; other stress factors (heat, drawbacks of hermetically closed cabins, uncomfortable seats, vibrating cabin parts, draught, speed of work, postural constraints due to bad visibility); necessity of preventive maintenance and repairs to avoid equipment deterioration and to prevent vibration.
Industriebond FNV, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Apr. 1982. 28p. Illus.

CIS 83-42 Safety requirements for the construction, care and use of permanent-mold casting machines (other than gray iron)
These safety requirements, which were approved as an American national standard on 11 Sept. 1981, lay down safety criteria for the construction, care and use of permanent-mould casting machines (other than those used for grey iron). Sections deal with: design, construction, rebuilding, modification and installation; design and construction of moulds; care and maintenance of permanent-mould casting machines and equiment; and operation (instruction and training of operators, work area, feed tubes, personal protective equipment).
American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10018, USA, 1982. 8p. Illus.

CIS 83-175 Karai I., Fukumoto K., Horiguchi S.
An increase in Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity of erythrocyte membranes in workers employed in a lead refining factory
Report of a study to clarify the differences between in vitro studies in which the addition of lead to erythrocyte membrane fragments inhibts Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity and in vivo studies in which an increase in erythrocyte Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity was found in workers in a lead refining plant. Blood samples were collected from 31 male workers in a scrap lead refinery and 50 controls, and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity and other parameters were determined. Values for Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity, blood and urine lead, urine delta-aminolaevulinic acid and urine coproporphyrin were significantly higher in lead workers than in controls. A strongly positive relationship between blood lead and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity was observed in lead workers, and a strongly negative relation between Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity and intracellular sodium was found in both groups.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine, Aug. 1982, Vol.39, No.3, p.290-294. Illus. 28 ref.

CIS 83-161 Logue J.N., Koontz M.D., Hattwick M.A.W.
A historical prospective mortality study of workers in copper and zinc refineries
Report of a study to determine if work in a copper and zinc refinery was associated with any excess mortality patterns. A cohort of over 4,800 workers exposed for at least 1 year in 9 zinc and copper refineries was studied (vital statistics and death certificates). Significantly high cause-specific standard mortality rates were found for: cerebrovascular disease (CBVD) for the cohort; all cancers, gastrointestinal cancers and CBVD for the copper subgroup; all cancers, respiratory track cancer and CBVD for one plant with a significantly high overall SMR. The significant excess of cancer death among the study cohort is due largely to the plant with the significantly high overall mortality rate, but lack of smoking data qualifies this finding. The CBVD excess seems consistent for all plants and warrants further research.
Journal of Occupational Medicine, May 1982, Vol.22, No.5, p.398-408. Illus. 32 ref.

CIS 83-159 McMichael A.J., Johnson H.M.
Long-term mortality profile of heavily-exposed lead smelter workers
Report on a follow-up study of 241 male lead smelter workers who had, during the period 1928-1959, been diagnosed as having lead poisoning. The cause-of-death profile of the 140 known to have subsequently died was compared with that of 695 other males from the same smelter plant who had died (mainly production workers) and with that of the Australian male population. Age-standardised proportional mortality analysis shows a substantial excess in the number of deaths from chronic renal disease and cerebral haemorrhage, particularly prior to 1965. A moderate excess was also apparent for the other smelter workers. In recent years, the mortality excesses in lead-exposed workers have largely dissipated.
Journal of Occupational Medicine, May 1982, Vol.22, No.5, p.375-378. 8 ref.

CIS 83-152 Karai I., Fukumoto K., Horiguchi S.
Mechanism of increased osmotic resistance of red cells in workers exposed to lead
The mechanism of increased osmotic resistance in red blood cells in lead workers was studied by examining 19 lead refining workers and 18 controls for red cell count, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, blood and urine lead concentrations, urine coproporphyrin and delta-aminolaevulinic acid (DALA), osmotic resistance of red cells, lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity in serum, and cholesterol content and cholesterol-to-phospholipid ratio of the red cell membrane. Osmotic resistance of red cells, red cell membrane cholesterol content, blood and urine lead, urine coproporphyrin and urine DALA were higher in lead workers than in controls. In lead workers, close correlations were found between osmotic resistance and blood lead concentration, osmotic resistance, LCAT activity and red cell membrane cholesterol.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine, May 1982, Vol.39, No.2, p.153-156. Illus. 17 ref.

CIS 82-1998 Musk A.W., Tees J.G.
Asthma caused by occupational exposure to vanadium compounds
4 workers in an Australian vanadium pentoxide refinery exhibited green discoloration of the tongue, upper respiratory symptoms, and asthma. 3 of these subjects were non-atopic as judged by history, prick skin test responses, and total serum IgE levels. The 2 subjects with the most recent exposure to vanadium compounds exhibited bronchial hyperreactivity to histamine. Vanadium compounds appear to be capable of inducing asthma in previously normal subjects, and 1 subject continued to wheeze 8 weeks after the last exposure.
Medical Journal of Australia, 20 Feb. 1982, Vol.1, No.4, p.183-184. 8 ref.

CIS 82-1516 Storage, handling and processing of magnesium
This standard, adopted as an American National Standard 2 Dec. 1981, covers: definitions, magnesium mill and foundry operations (melting and casting; rough finishing of castings; heat treating); machining and fabrication (grinding, buffing, wire brushing, drawing, spinning, stamping); handling and disposal of scrap (disposal of sludge from separators, chips, turnings, swarf, clippings, castings); storage of pigs, ingots, billets, castings, chips, solid scrap and finished products; storage in mills, warehouses, rocks, bins; fire protection (general precautions, extinguishing powders, foundry flux, water, automatic sprinklers, heat-treating furnaces). Appendices: commentary, supplementary information on magnesium.
National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269, USA, 1982. 34p. Illus. 7 ref.

CIS 82-911 Production, processing, handling and storage of titanium 1982
This standard, effective as an American National Standard from 29 Dec. 1981, updates and enlarges previous editions (CIS 75-21). It highlights the fire and explosion hazards associated with titanium and lays down recommendations for fire prevention, fire extinguishment and safe working practices. Individual sections are devoted to: properties and hazards of titanium; sponge production; melting; forming, heat treating, pickling and cleaning; machining and welding; scrap processing and storage; powder production and use.
National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269, USA, 2 Dec. 1981. 40p. Illus. 23 ref. Price: US$.6.50.

1981

CIS 83-1670 Medvedeva V.N., Tkačev Ju.G., Kulič M.N.
Comparative study of the fluorine content of body fluids of workers in an aluminium factory
Sravnitel'noe izučenie soderžanija ftora v biologičeskih sredah organizma u rabočih aljuminievogo zavoda [in Russian]
Fluorine concentrations higher than control values were observed in the urine of those workers in an aluminium factory who did not suffer fluorosis, as well as in the urine of workers with stage-I or stage-II fluorosis. The asymptomatic workers represented the basic trades in the factories and had spent more than 5 years on the job. There was a quantitative correlation between urinary fluorine levels and extent of fluorosis when determinations were conducted 1-3 days after cessation of exposure to fluorides. Elevated fluorine levels were also found in the bile and gastric juice of both fluorotic and asymptomatic workers. Gall-bladder bile had fluorine concentrations ≥38-fold higher than those found in hepatic bile; this suggests that the liver is important in fluorine excretion and that fluorine is not reabsorbed by the gall-bladder and excreted via the intestine.
Gigiena truda i professional'nye zabolevanija, Sep. 1981, No.19, p.45-47. 6 ref.

CIS 83-1620 Šigorina N.V., Kostjučenko V.A.
Comparative toxicities of some slag-forming mixtures
Sravnitel'naja harakteristika toksičnosti nekotoryh šlakoobrazujuščih smesej [in Russian]
Four samples of slag-forming mixtures, of undefined composition except for their CaF₂ contents (1-40%), were burned at 1250-1400°C, and rats were exposed to the resulting fumes. At the given exposure level (10mg/m³ dust for 4h/day for 10 days), fluorine was not the major determinant of toxicity. All mixtures tended to produce lung haemorrhages, bronchopneumonia, plethora and cellular damage in the liver, plethora in the vessels of the myocardium and electrocardiographic irregularities. Fluoride accumulation in bones and teeth was also observed. Free amino group concentrations in organs and blood serum and aminotransferase activities in organs were higher in fume-exposed animals than in controls, which suggests accelerated protein metabolism. Synthetic mixtures lacking major components of the samples were prepared: a mixture lacking manganese was markedly more toxic than the industrial sample of otherwise comparable composition. This suggests that manganese and fluorine share the same point of action in the body, and so act antagonistically when present simultaneously.
Gigiena truda i professional'nye zabolevanija, Sep. 1981, No.9, p.36-39. 5 ref.

CIS 82-1982 Chovil A., Sutherland R.B., Halliday M.
Respiratory cancer in a cohort of nickel sinter plant workers
A study of a 495 nickel refinery workers from a sinter plant that had operated from 1948 to 1962 enabled 54 cases of lung cancer and 8 cases of sinus cancer to be located. Exposure was recorded in terms of duration of employment at the plant. The level of risk in the plant was thought to have diminished sharply after 1951, and there was some evidence that the actual dust levels might have dropped by half. The risk of lung and sinus cancer was much higher in the earlier days of the operation of the plant, with an incidence rate of over 40% for those employed in the first year of operation. Dose-response relation was examined by regressions of standard mortality ratios and standard incidence ratios. The SIR suggests that the risk doubled for workers with more than 12 months exposure (6 months for workers employed before 1951).
British Journal of Industrial Medicine, Nov. 1981, Vol.38, No.4, p.327-333. Illus. 14 ref.

CIS 82-1954 Cox J.E., Doll R., Scott W.A., Smith S.
Mortality of nickel workers: experience of men working with metallic nickel
Report on a survey of causes of death among the 1925 employees working for over 5 years in a plant manufacturing nickel alloys from metallic nickel and other metals from 1953 to 1978. Air samples showed that most workers in the plant had been exposed to average atmospheric nickel concentrations of 0.5-0,9mg Ni/m³. All but 22 (1.1%) of employees were traced. Numbers of deaths from cancers of the respiratory tract and other sites, other respiratory disease, ischaemic heart disease and from other causes were compared with the numbers expected from national and local mortality rates. The comparison gave no indication of the existence of any specific occupational hazard in the plant. The number of deaths from lung cancer (15) in men employed for 5 years or more is small. It is equivalent to 98% of the number expected from local rates and is statistically compatible with a risk of between 0.5 and 2.2 times the "normal".
British Journal of Industrial Medicine, Aug. 1981, Vol.38, No.3, p.235-239. 5 ref.

CIS 82-2034 Intykbaev A.M., Dujsebaev O.B.
Safety and health in plants using the slag fuming process
Bezopasnost' truda i ėkspluatacii ustanovok f'jumingovanija šlakov [in Russian]
This booklet is intended for workers recovering non-ferrous and rare metals: chemical reactions taking place during the fuming process; worker training and education; occupational hygiene and health engineering measures (air curtains, local exhaust ventilation, thermal insulation, etc.); personal protective equipment; construction and layout of buildings; preparation of the reducing agent; slag fuming (electric furnaces, charging of slag and coal dust, handling of granulated slag, use of oxygen); heat recovery from furnace waste gases; safe working methods and work organisation; safety and health during maintenance and repair work in slag fuming plants.
Izdatel'stvo "Metallurgija", 2-j Obydenskij per.14, 119034 Moskva G-34, USSR, 11981. 52p. Illus. 6 ref. Price: Rbl.0,20.

CIS 82-1745 Environmental aspects in the aluminium industry
Problemi ambientali nel settore dell'alluminio [in Italian]
15 papers presented at the session on occupational health of this conference, (Venice, Italy, 5-7 Oct. 1980) are reproduced. Topics covered include: Activities of the European Primary Aluminium Association Committee; carcinogenic risks associated with aluminium production; exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; dust exposure; mortality studies; respiratory diseases; fluoride exposure studies and fluoride asthma; noise and audiometric studies.
Medicina del lavoro, July-Aug. 1981, Vol.72, No.4, p.255-349. Illus. 147 ref.

CIS 82-1688 Karai I., Fukumoto K., Horiguchi S.
Studies on osmotic fragility of red blood cells determined with a coil planet centrifuge for workers occupationally exposed to lead
In order to clarify the relationship between lead exposure level and osmotic fragility of red blood cells as determined by the coil planet centrifuge method, several clinical laboratory examinations were performed on 27 workers in a scrap-lead refinery and on controls. The examinations included measurement of red blood cell and reticulocyte counts, hematocrit, blood and urine lead concentrations, urine coproporphyrin, and urine δ-aminolevulinic acid. The osmotic fragility of red blood cells was lower in lead workers; values for blood and urine lead, coproporphyrin, and δ-aminolevulinic acid of lead workers were much higher than those of the controls. In the lead workers, close relationships between the osmotic fragility and these laboratory findings were observed.
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1981, Vol.48, No.3, p.273-281. Illus. 19 ref.

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