Acta Biomedica Scientifica (May 2013)
Determination of the probability of the damage to the health of workers in aluminium production due to the exposure to toxic substances
Abstract
In the electrolytic aluminium production fluorides in the form of hydrogen fluoride and solid fluorides, alumina-containing dust, carbon monoxide, resinous substances and benz(a)pyrene are released into the air of the working zone representing a hazard to the workers' health. The paper presents the results of the researches of the working conditions of the workers employed in the electrolytic aluminium production. The concentrations of toxic substances in the air of working areas of those engaged in anode works and electrolysis, and crane operators are given; on their basis the risks of occupational diseases (fluorosis), of acute toxic effects, of chronic intoxication, and of cancer are calculated. The average-shift concentrations of hydrogen fluoride in the air of working areas of those engaged in electrolysis are 0.40-0.46 MPC, soluble fluorine salts - 0.31-0.38 MPC, insoluble fluorine salts -0.08-0.09 MPC. In the air of the working areas of those engaged in anode works MPC excess is noted for the aerosols of mostly fibrogenic action - in 1.25 times, for resinous substances - in 1.10 times. In the air of the working areas of those engaged in electrolysis MPC excess for resinous substances is registered in 1.06 times. The average-shift concentration of insoluble fluorine salts, and carbon monoxide in the air of the working areas of those engaged in anode works and electrolysis and crane operators are within the MPC. The risk of occupational disease development (fluorosis) due to the air pollution of the working zone in the aluminium production for the workers of the major occupational groups is ranging from 0.045 to 0.0482. Hydrogen fluoride is the most hazardous contaminant in air of the working zone contributing more than 55 % to the risk of fluorosis. The risk of acute toxic effects for the workers of the major occupational groups associated with the achievement of the concentrations of the contaminants in the air of the working areas of their maximum values are ranging from 0.181 to 0.230.
