Documents smelting plants 10 results

"Objectives This study investigated the associations between exposure to fluorides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and mortality from nonmalignant diseases among workers in the Norwegian primary aluminum industry.Methods Mortality among 10 857 men, employed for more than 3 years in 1 of 6 aluminum plants, was investigated from 1962 to 1996, giving 239 246 person-years during follow-up. A job-exposure matrix covering all 6 plants was used to estimate the individual exposure to total fluorides and particulate PAH. The observed cause-specific deaths were compared with expected figures calculated from national rates. Dose-response relations were investigated by internal comparisons using Poisson regression and by stratified analyses for standardized mortality ratio. Potential confounding by smoking was investigated in subanalyses restricted to 3 of the plants for which information on smoking habits was accessible. Results Mortality from circulatory disease was slightly lower than expected [SMR 0.95, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 0.9-1.0], while there was an increased mortality from asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis combined, SMR 1.2 (95% CI 1.0-1.5). Mortality from these diseases was associated with cumulative exposure to fluorides. The rate ratio in the internal analysis rose steadily to 2.5 (95% CI 1.5-4.3) for the upper exposure category. No association was observed between cumulative fluoride exposure or PAH exposure and circulatory mortality. Conclusions The study showed an association between exposure to potroom emissions measured by fluorides and mortality from asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis combined."

Background The aim of the study was to evaluate whether cadmium concentrations in kidney (K-Cd), blood (B-Cd) or urine (U-Cd) could reveal previous occupational cadmium exposure at a metal smelter. Methods The study included 90 smelters and 35 controls (B-Cd and U-Cd determination). In a subgroup (N = 33), K-Cd was also determined. Results B-Cd (median 4.6; range 0.5-53 nmol/L), U-Cd (0.29; 0.04-1.9 mol/mol creatinine) and K-Cd (14; 3-61 g/g wet weight) were similar to reported concentrations in the general Swedish population. In the subgroup, significant associations (P<0.001) were obtained between B-Cd and K-Cd (r = 0.70), U-Cd and K-Cd (r = 0.60) and between U-Cd and B-Cd (r = 0.62). Multiple regression analyses revealed smoking as the major predictor of K-Cd, B-Cd, and U-Cd. B-Cd and U-Cd were both associated with the duration of employment at the smelter. Conclusions There was no statistically significant evidence of previous occupational exposure at the smelter from measurement of K-Cd.

"BACKGROUND: Lead smelter/refinery workers in the US have had significant exposure to lead and are an important occupational group to study to understand the health effects of chronic lead exposure in adults. Recent research found evidence that studies of lead smelter/refinery workers have been conducted but not published. This paper presents further evidence for this contention.
OBJECTIVES: To present further evidence of industry conducted, unpublished epidemiologic studies of lead smelter/refinery workers and health outcomes.
METHODS: Historical research relying on primary sources such as internal industry documents and published studies.
RESULTS: ASARCO smelter/refinery workers were studied in the early 1980s and found to have increased risk of lung cancer and stroke in one study, but not in another.
CONCLUSIONS: Because occupational lead exposure is an on-going concern for US and overseas workers, all epidemiologic studies should be made available to evaluate and update occupational health and safety standards."

"Childhood lead exposure and poisoning near primary lead smelters continues in developed and developing countries. In the United States, the problem of lead poisoning in children caused by smelter emissions was first documented in the early 1970s. In 1978, Environmental Protection Agency set National Ambient Air Quality Standards for lead. Attainment of this lead standard in areas near operating lead smelters took twenty to thirty years. Childhood lead exposure and poisoning continued to occur after the lead National Ambient Air Quality Standards were set and before compliance was achieved. This article analyzes and discusses the factors that led to the eventual achievement of the 1978 lead National Ambient Air Quality Standards near primary smelters and the reduction of children's blood lead levels in surrounding communities. Factors such as federal and state regulation, monitoring of emissions, public health activities such as blood lead surveillance and health education, relocation of children, environmental group and community advocacy, and litigation all played a role."

A study of risk factors for work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMDs) among aluminum smelter workers was conducted. The study group consisted of 121 persons employed at an aluminum smelter that utilized prebaked electrodes in the Hall-Heroult process to recover aluminum from its ore. Sixty two were employed as carbon setters, 36 as crane operators, and nine were employed as carbon anode workers. The subjects were given structured health interviews and physical examinations to assess the prevalence of WMDs. The subjects completed a questionnaire to rate perceived job satisfaction, supervisory and coworker support, and demands and decision latitude in their jobs, and to provide information on episodes of physical and mental exhaustion. The subjects were observed while performing their jobs and the job activities were scored for the presence of 37 potential risk factors for WMDs using a job surveillance checklist approach. Possible associations between WMDs identified in the workers and the physical and psychosocial work factors were examined by unconditional multiple logistic regression techniques. The prevalence of WMDs in the neck, shoulder, elbow or forearm, hand and wrist, and low back regions of the subjects as determined by the interview and physical examination was 0.8, 14.9, 11.6, 14.9, and 17.4%, respectively. Job activities that involved prolonged forearm twisting were significantly associated with hand or wrist disorders identified during the interview, elbow and forearm disorders identified during the interview and physical examination, and shoulder disorders identified during the interview and both the interview and physical examination, odds ratios (ORs) 17, 37, 92, and 46, respectively. High perceived job satisfaction and low social support were significantly associated with low back pain reported during the interview, OR 5.3. High perceived job satisfaction alone was also a significant predictor of low back pain identified during both the interview and physical examination, OR 5.3. The authors conclude that both physical factors (forearm twisting) and psychosocial factors are risk factors for WMDs.