Short communication, Note

Chronic locomotor impairments among workers from an aluminium plant

M. Jurić ; Zdravstvena stanica Tvornice lakih metala »B. Kidrić«, Šibenik, Hrvatska
D. Šikić ; Elektronski računski centar SOUR-a Industrije aluminija, Šibenik, Hrvatska

Abstract

Effects of fluorine (fluorides) on the locomotor system in workers employed in an aluminium reduction plant are analysed. Two groups of 328 workers each, who spent five to twelve years in the potroom and casting unit respectively, were followed .up during a twelve-year period. All the workers were healthy when -they began to work. Two-thirds of them were less than 30 years old, and one third were in their forties. Up to the fifth year of follow-up there was no difference in the frequency of bone and joint complaints between the workers in the potroom and those in the casting unit. Lumbo-sacral syndrome, inflammation of the extensor carpi tendons and rotatory shoulder tendons occurred after that period. Osteosclerosis and abundant trabeculation occurred in four potroom workers, keeping at a yearly rate of four cases in the following years. In the tenth year of follow up all the signs of osteofluorosis were present in 28 potroom workers.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

153788

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/153788

Publication date:

30.6.1987.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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