Multiple-episode conjunctivitis outbreak among workers at a nut-processing facility
Article Abstract:
Three episodes of eye irritation (conjunctivitis) were experienced by workers in the preprocessor shed of an almond and pistachio nut packing plant. The outbreaks occurred in 1987 and 1988, and were investigated by the California Department of Health Services. Preprocessing involves the additional cleaning, sorting and grading of nuts. Almond hulling is a very dusty process, and the hulls may be contaminated with residual pesticides. The hulling of pistachio nuts is a wet process and any dust is held down. Each episode involved 7 to 13 workers and occurred after phosphine fumigation of the workplace. Preliminary considerations implicated exposure to phosphine gas, ammonia gas, aluminum hydroxide dust, and almond nut dust; the last three agents are byproducts of the processing. A total of 30 to 35 employees who worked in or near the preprocessing shed were interviewed in this investigation. Symptoms included burning and redness of the eyes, tearing, photophobia (visual sensitivity to light), headache, and sore throat. Corneal abrasions were detected in five of the seven employees examined after the second outbreak. The symptoms occurred differently during the three episodes. Insufficient epidemiologic evidence was available to specifically implicate a specific cause of the outbreaks of conjunctivitis, although the likeliest causes were exposure to ammonia or phosphine gas. Separating processing activities and nut storage, and a study of shed ventilation were recommended. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1991
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Occupational skin disease in newspaper pressroom workers
Article Abstract:
Materials and chemicals used in printing newspapers may pose health hazards. Few studies have evaluated pressroom workers to see if exposure to these substances increases the risk for certain diseases. A few studies have shown increased risks for skin cancer and skin irritations. This study examined skin disorders among 248 pressroom workers. The workers were given a health questionnaire and an examination. Workers from the same plant, but who were not working in the pressroom, were used as control subjects. Results showed pressroom workers reported more skin problems than the controls, with 47.2 percent reporting dry skin, 42.9 percent reporting itching, and 35.4 percent reporting redness, while less than 20 percent of the controls reported any of these problems. Skin examinations found that 18 pressworkers (8.5 percent) and 1 control (3 percent) had eczematous dermatitis, a skin disorder. Further examination found that exposure to three solvents, especially in combination, increased the risk for eczematous dermatitis. These results indicate that pressroom workers, particularly those exposed to certain solvents, have an increased risk for skin disorders. Safety measures to limit exposure to these solvents should be used. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1991
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