Evaluation of the Clinical Findings among Galvanizers Exposed to Low Level Hydrochloric Acid

• Main Authors: O Aminian, Kh Sadeghniat Haghighi, SHR Zeinodin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Science 2011-12-01
• Series: طب کار
• Subjects: galvanization; hydrochloric acid; irritant and respiratory symptoms; dental discoloration
• Online Access: http://tkj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-33-en.html

Abstract Background: Galvanization is the process of coating steel or cast iron pieces with a thin layer of zinc allowing protection against corrosion. Workers are exposed to HCL during pickling of metals. The aim of this study was to obtain the frequency of irritant and respiratory symptoms among galvanizers exposed to hydrochloric acid. Methods: In this study 80 galvanizers exposed to hydrogen chloride and 111 workers from other departments of plant they were selected. Information was collected using ATS questionnaire and a questionnaire for other irritant symptoms and physical examination and demographic data sheet. Exposure assessment was performed by NIOSH 7030 method. Results: The PBZ air sampling and area sampling for hydrochloric acid were below the permissible level (TLV – 8hr = 5 PPM). Results showed that the frequency of the irritation symptoms such as nose and throat burning, eye burning, dyspnea, hoarseness, dental discoloration and sensitization were significantly higher in galvanizers. Conclusion: Results showed that after adjustment for confounding variables such as age and duration of exposure, there was a relationship between irritant, respiratory symptoms, primary stages of dental erosion and hydrochloric acid exposure lower than current TLV.