Professional paper
Pneumoconioses and chronic bronchitis in workers employed in the production of chrome-magnesite refractories
M.I. Mikov
; Zavod za higijenu Instituta za zdravstvenu zaštitu, Novi Sad
Abstract
Clinical and X-ray examinations and laboratory tests were performed on every worker employed in the department for the production of chrome-magnesite refractories in order to investigate the influence of chrome-magnesite dust on worker's health. In the total of 85 workers examined 5 cases of early pneumoconiosis (5,88%) and 15 cases of chronic bronchitis (18,82%) were found. Chronic bronchitis was found only in workers exposed to chrome-magnesite dust for more than 5 years, while pneumoconiosis was found in workers exposed to chrome-magnesite dust for more than 9 years. In dust samples collected by Hexhlet apparatus the concentration in the range of respirable reaction was 4,53-9,24 mg/m3, while the total dust concentration was about 176 mg/m3. Dust concentration by count, determined by konimeter, was found to be 3.870-5.600 particles per cm3. Chemical analysis of chrome-magnesite materials and airborne dust samples showed that beside MgO and Cr203 as the main components they also contain 5,20-7,00% of free Si02. The pathogenic influence of chrome-magnesite dust on workers' health in spite of low values of free Si02 is discussed and necessary technical and medical preventive measures are suggested to secure safety at work.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
177852
URI
Publication date:
21.3.1967.
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