Serum Clara cell protein as an indicator of pulmonary impairment in occupational exposure at aluminum foundry.

Objectives: Although some of the exposures in aluminum (Al) smelting have been well characterized, and respiratory disorders in aluminum production workers are well known, the relationship between internal aluminum loads and appropriate lung biomarkers have not been elucidated. The aim of our work was to carry out a comprehensive investigation in workers employed in the Aluminum Foundry Casting Department with special reference to currently existing hygiene standards, known as threshold limit values (TLV) based on aluminum effects on the respiratory system. The measurement of serum anti-inflammatory Clara cell protein (CC16) was employed as a peripheral marker of the lung epithelium function.

[The effect of combined exposure to chemical and physical factors on the nervous system during aluminum production: a preliminary finding].

Background: The authors present the results of medical examinations of workers employed in an aluminum electrolysis plant with occupational exposure to aluminum dust, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and magnetic field.

Methods And Materials: The study covered a selected group of 39 male workers (mean age, 44,9; SD = 7.5 years; range 29-55 years) involved in the aluminum production.

[Neurologic and neurophysiologic examinations of workers occupationally exposed to aluminium].

Background: Studies conducted to assess aluminum (Al)-induced toxicity to humans and environment. It has been implicated that Al is involved in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, though this is controversial. The aim of the present study was to assess Al effects on the nervous system functions in workers chronically exposed to this metal.

[Determination of fumes and their elements from flux cored arc welding].

Background: The aim of this work was to assay the concentration levels and composition of welding fumes, released during flux cored arc welding, to assess exposure of welders.

Materials And Methods: Concentrations and welding fume components, such as iron, manganese, chromium (including the soluble and chromium VI), nickel, copper, calcium, aluminium, barium, and fluorides (including hydrogen fluoride) were determined in the air of six industrial plants (shipyards, mechanical engineering plants and a power station) at the breathing zones of the welders who used 10 types of wires during flux cored arc welding. The following determination methods were used: gravimetry (fumes), AAS (metals), and spectrophotometry (chromium VI, fluorides--including hydrogen fluoride).

Effects of occupational exposure to aluminum on nervous system: clinical and electroencephalographic findings.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of aluminum (Al) on the nervous system functions in workers chronically exposed to Al.

Materials And Methods: The study covered a selected group of 67 male workers (mean age, 38.7 SD 10.

[Assessment of exposure to toxic metals released during soldering and grazing processes].

The aim of the study was to assess toxic metal exposure in workers performing soldering and brazing operations. The study group included workers of three plants manufacturing electronic systems, household equipment and electric motors. Membrane filters were used to collect 50 air samples, including personal 8-h samples to assess average weighed concentration of soldering and brazing fumes and their elements, and to assay respirable dust and "background" or "area" samples.

Evaluation of occupational exposure to toxic metals released in the process of aluminum welding.

The objective of this study was to evaluate occupational exposure to welding fumes and its elements on aluminum welders in Polish industry. The study included 52 MIG/Al fume samples and 18 TIG/Al samples in 3 plants. Air samples were collected in the breathing zone of welders (total and respirable dust).

[Occupational exposure to gases emitted in mild and stainless steel welding].

The objective of this work was to select optimal methods for determination of toxic gases (NOx, NO2, CO, CO2, O3) and to evaluate occupational exposure of welders to those gases. The survey covered workers employed in shipyards, and other metal product fabrication plants engaged in welding mild and stainless steel by different techniques (manual metal are, metal active gas, tungsten inert gas welding; gas, plasma, laser cutting and resistance welding). Personal and stationary air samples were collected to determine time weighted average (TWA) and short-term concentrations of gases.

Neurological and neurophysiological examinations of workers occupationally exposed to manganese.

The nervous system is the major target of the toxic effect of manganese (Mn) and its compounds. Nowadays, neurological diagnostics is directed towards early detection of symptoms and abortive forms, and the cases of serious damage of the nervous system are no longer reported. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of manganese on the functions of the nervous system in workers exposed to this metal in the ship and electrical industries.

[Problems faced in hygiene evaluation of Welders' working conditions--analysis of chemical hazards].

Dissemination of individual welding methods, as well as assessment of welding fume and gas emissions and their physical properties, chemical composition and related difficulties in hygiene evaluation of working conditions are discussed.

[Evaluation of occupational exposure of copper welders].

Exposure of MMA/Plasma/Cu welders to fumes and soluble and insoluble Cu was assessed. Mean weighted concentrations of dusts/fumes and copper compounds at the welders' breathing zone were: 3.1 mg/m3 (0.

Biological monitoring of occupational exposure to arsenic by determining urinary content of inorganic arsenic and its methylated metabolites.

A study was undertaken to assess the relationship between inhalation exposure to arsenic in copper smeltery workers and urinary excretion of total inorganic arsenic metabolites (Asitm), including inorganic arsenic (Asi), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA). The methods applied made it possible, in principle, to determine all forms of airborne arsenic and to eliminate the influence of seafood-derived organoarsenicals on the level of urinary Asitm. Air samples were collected on the second day of work after the weekend break.

[Reliability of routine measurements of the atmospheric air pollutant nitrogen dioxide].

On the basis of an external quality control of nitrogen dioxide measurements in the atmospheric air (emmission), the preparation of control material, its evaluation and durability are presented. The results of the control test carried out in the spring 1995 is also discussed.

Urinary excretion of chromium as an indicator of exposure to various chromium forms in MMA/SS welders.

Increased levels of Cr discharged with urine after working shift, Cr-U (arithmetic mean 15.8 mu g/g creatinine), and Cr buildup during working shift, DeltaCr-U (arithmetic mean 3.8 mu g/g creatinine), were observed in 15 MMA/SS welders exposed during the working week to welding fumes containing Cr VI (33-56%) - mainly soluble (87%) and Cr III (44-67%) - mainly insoluble (72%).

Relation between various chromium compounds and some other elements in fumes from manual metal arc stainless steel welding.

For the years 1987-1990 160 individual samples of manual metal arc stainless steel (MMA/SS) welding fumes from the breathing zone of welders in four industrial plants were collected. Concentrations of soluble and insoluble chromium (Cr) III and Cr VI compounds as well as of some other welding fume elements (Fe, Mn, Ni, F) were determined. Concentration of welding fumes in the breathing zone ranged from 0.

[Exposure to chromium compounds during processing of chromium iron ore].

The work verifies data gathered by Occupational Hygiene departments of Sanitary-Epidemiological Stations about workers exposure to chromium compounds in the processing of chrome iron ore. Research showed that 7 plants were involved in the processing of chrome iron ore and that the number of workers directly employed in the process amounted to 215-230. About 150 workers were exposed to high concentrations of chromium compounds which exceeded hygienic standards.

Methods for determining soluble and insoluble Cr III and Cr VI compounds in welding fumes.

An analytical procedure for simultaneous determination of soluble and insoluble Cr III and Cr VI compounds in welding fumes has been proposed. In the welding fume samples collected on a membrane filter, total chromium was determined with atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Glass filters with collected samples were divided into two parts.

[Evaluation of occupational exposure to nickel and other metals based on the analysis of air in the production of nickel alloys].

The measurements of air pollutions in the rolling mill of non-ferrous metals aimed at the evaluation of occupational exposure to nickel and other metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Mg) used during the production of nickel alloys. It was found that nickel fumes and dusts concentration can be the only hazardous factor for the workers' health. The majority (ca 85%) of the crew of 28 workers is exposed to the nickel concentration in air exceeding 0.

[Evaluation of exposure to fumes arising during welding of non-alloyed and low-alloyed steel by various methods].

Evaluated in the paper is welders' exposure to fumes resulting from welding of nonalloyed and low-alloyed steel, whether pure or coated with protective layers, using two most popular welding techniques for those types of steel, i.e. metal active gas welding (MAG) and manual welding with covered electrode (MMA).

[Methodology and evaluation of exposure to fumes formed during welding of chromium-nickel steel].

Using various methods for determination of welding fumes components and taking into account a simultaneous determination of soluble compounds of chromium III and IV, hygienic evaluation in two working places employing different systems of MMA/SS welding, TIG/SS welding and padding was carried out. As it is indicated by the results, proper hygienic evaluation of working conditions is possible owing to the measurements of individual exposure of workers in the breathing zone, allowing for determination of chromium manganese, nickel, and, while applying low-hydrogen electrodes, also fluorides, in every test.

[Determining sexivalent chromium compounds in the air].

Within the studies, three methodological versions of the determination of VI chromium with diphenylcarbazide have been evaluated. The versions differed primarily by the technique of elution (acid, alkaline) of the chromium sample from the filter. As optimum conditions for determining Cr VI in the presence of Cr III and Fe III, the parameters adopted by Carelli have been determined, some modifications being made consisting in improving and simplifying the analytical procedures, as well as making them more precise, and in the use of available materials.

[Evaluation of occupational exposure to cadmium based on air analysis of the work area. I. Cadmium oxide level in the air of work areas in a cadmium and nickel cumulator factory].

Results of evaluation of occupational exposure carried on by individual dosimetry and stationary measurements were compared. The former method yielded higher values for airborne cadmium concentrations. The investigations exhibited high cadmium oxide dust concentrations at most workplaces within the alkaline accumulator plant.

[Evaluation of occupational exposure to cadmium based on analysis of air in the work area. II. Cadmium oxide levels in the air of work areas during cadmium production in a non-ferrous metal foundry].

By stationary measurements the levels of cadmium oxide aerosols concentrations in air at particular workplaces related to cadmium production at non-ferrous metals mill have been determined. High concentrations of that compound have been found at such technological operations as unloading of cadmium-bearing raw materials, batching of cadmium sponge in the induction furnace and casting of fused cadmium into moulds. With the personal dosimetry technique, concentrations of that compound in the workers' breathing zone have been determined.

Effect of inhalation exposure to cadmium oxide on arterial blood pressure, lipid metabolism and tissue cadmium concentration in rats.

The arterial blood pressure, lipid content in serum and some organs, cadmium level in blood, aorta wall, lung and liver have been examined in rats repeatedly exposed to cadmium oxide fume 5 hours daily, 5 days a week, during 6 months. The blood pressure in rats exposed to cadmium oxide at concentration 0.02 mg Cd/m3 and 0.