Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of occupational asthma in the seven aluminum smelters of Australia and New Zealand from 1991 to 2006.

METHODS: Incidence and exposure data were collected by survey from the smelters prospectively during the study period.

RESULTS: The incidence of occupational asthma across all smelters combined was highest in 1992 at 9.46/1,000/year, declining to 0.36/1,000/year in 2006; a 96.2% reduction. The incidence of occupational asthma was correlated with geometric mean total fluoride concentration, measured as personal samples from employees undertaking anode changing (r(s) = 0.497, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The control of exposures, respiratory protection and pre-placement medical assessments undertaken during the study period seem to have contributed to the substantial decline in occupational asthma incidence.

• Related Studies :

  • Exposure to hydrogen fluoride: an experimental study in humans of concentrations of fluoride in plasma, sympto

    OBJECTIVES: To study the absorption of inhaled hydrogen fluoride (HF) by measuring plasma fluorides and HF concentrations in the breathing zone during exposure to HF. A possible dose-effect relation was investigated by following airway symptoms and lung function-that is, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity

  • Spirometry changes due to prolonged exposure to high level of fluoride in drinking water

    Introduction: fluorosis is dental and skeletal tissue changes due to increase fluoride exposure this can also result in systemic and biochemical changes. Pulmonary involvement is established as a result of toxic exposure to inhaled fluoride however animal studies have shown that chronic fluorosis causes by ingested fluoride can cause marked

  • Fluoride-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression and prostaglandin E(2) production in A549 human pulmonary epithelial cells.

    To clarify the mechanisms of fluoride-induced airway diseases, we examined the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an important mediator of airway inflammation, in A549 human pulmonary epithelial cells treated with sodium fluoride (NaF). Following exposure to 5mM NaF, COX-2 protein and COX-2 transcript increased markedly. However, no change was observed in

  • Effects of fluoride aerosol inhalation on mice.

    The effects of fluoride aerosol inhalation on mice were studied using an inhalation chamber. Five-week-old male ICR mice were exposed to airborne fluoride (13.3 mgF/m3) 4 hr per day for 10, 20 or 30 days. Significant differences in relative lung weight were observed between the exposed groups and the control.

  • Hydrogen fluoride inhalation injury because of a fire suppression system

    Automatic fire suppression systems (FSSs) use hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to chemically extinguish fires. At high temperatures, HFC can release hydrogen fluoride (HF), a toxic and potentially lethal gas. We report the deaths of three U.S. military personnel at Bagram Air Base from acute respiratory failure after the FSS in their vehicle

• Related FAN Content :

  • Respiratory Risks from Occupational Fluoride Exposure

    Starting in the 1930s, scientists have observed that workers exposed to airborne fluorides suffer from an elevated rate of respiratory disorders. For over 50 years, however, US government and industry scientists made repeated assurances that the allowable level of fluoride dusts and gases in industrial workplaces would not cause any

  • Fluoride Enhances Toxicity of Beryllium

    Occupational exposure to beryllium is well-documented to put workers' health at risk. The two principal targets of beryllium poisoning are the respiratory system and the skin. Of all beryllium compounds, beryllium fluoride complexes (including beryllium fluoride and beryllium oxyfluoride) appear to be the most toxic. As shown below, studies dating back