Occupational Diseases / / May 19, 2016
When casting, smelting, electric welding, gas cutting metal workers may be a kind of symptoms - the so-called metal (copper-casting, zinc) fever.
Metal fever is regarded as a manifestation of non-specific action of metal (for the development of fever is important not the chemical nature of the metal, and its physical properties).His pair, cooling down and oxidized in air to form highly dispersed aerosols (size of dust particles - 0.4-0.6 microns), causing contact with the epithelium of the bronchi and alveoli of cellular protein denaturation.The consequence of entering the bloodstream and denatured foods is protein "aseptic" Fever (response to a foreign protein).
Metal fever often occurs when zinc smelting, since its melting temperature is relatively low - 419 ° C, but a similar reaction is caused and a pair of other metals such as copper, iron, mercury, lead, nickel, cobalt, antimony, electric welding aerosol, etc.. This disease is common in welders and cutter, especially when working in confined poo
Metal fever occurs in the form of sharp attacks reminiscent of an attack of malaria.
A few hours after inhalation of vapors coming prodromal period - there is a sweet taste in the mouth, and then a general malaise, headache, weakness, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness.From the first symptoms should be noted dry paroxysmal cough, chest pain, shortness of breath.Determined conjunctival hyperemia, throat, emphysema, bronchitis, asthma often-like state.This period lasts for 4-5 hours
second period of the disease - the "true fever":. A sharp rise in body temperature to 39-40 ° C, stunning chills, critical temperature drop within a few hours (usually 5-8) with drenching sweat.
in blood - leukocytosis, shift to the left, follow lymphocytosis.In urine - traces of protein, white blood cells .. allergic phenomena observed (rash, urticaria).Usually attack passes easily.The feeling of weakness, malaise can stay 2-3 days.
During fever may prevalence of nervous system symptoms (headache, drowsiness, delirium, unconsciousness), vegetative disorders (fever, redness of skin), disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and liver.It is necessary to highlight the violation of external respiration syndrome.In the prodromal stage - pulmonary insufficiency reflex character, bronchospasm.Already in the first hours of intoxication are observed in the radiograph acute swelling of the lungs, lung picture blurring.In the second phase (the period of "true fever") may develop unilateral or bilateral focal pneumonia, which can flow without heat.On radiographs - bilateral diffuse small focal shadows.
Fever, especially repeated, causes changes in the body's reactivity, greater susceptibility to infectious diseases.Observed more frequent respiratory diseases: chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma attacks;possible activation of tubercular process, the development of a functional failure of the cardiovascular system.
First aid and treatment
Intravenous injection of 40% glucose solution with ascorbic acid (in an amount of 300 mg).Diphenhydramine.Plentiful drink strong sweet tea, and coffee.According to the testimony - cardiovascular drugs.Oxygen.Peace.Heat.Alkaline inhalation.With the development of pneumonia - common treatment.
disability Temporary disability for 5-7 days;in the development of pneumonia or exacerbation of a chronic disease - longer, depending on the underlying disease.
Melting of non-ferrous metals in electric furnaces;Mechanization filling metal.Effective ventilation.The use of the respirator at high concentrations of metal vapors.A warm shower or bath after work (prevents febrile seizures).