Short communication, Note

Asthma in aluminium electrolysis workers

M. Šarić ; Institut za medicinska istraživanja i medicinu rada, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

The available literature on respiratory disorders such as bronchial asthma reported among workers in the aluminium industry is briefly surveyed. Own investigations. which were conducted in an aluminium plant where Alu-Swiss technology with prebaked anodes is used for electrolytic reduction, led to believe that the symptoms observed could be explained in terms of bronchial hyperreactivity. A separate investigation which was aimed at evaluating a possible allergic reaction showed no evidence confirming such mechanism. A possibility of respiratory intake of fluorides (and sulphur dioxide) through their adsorption on particles is discussed. According to particle size the gaseous irritants are taken deep into the bronchial tree wherefrom they can be partly released causing a local irritating effect. Present investigations point at an increased risk of chronic obstructive lung diseases in the aluminium industry.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

153662

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/153662

Publication date:

30.6.1987.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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