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Cold blast furnace syndrome: a new source of toxic inhalation by nitrogen oxides.
Occup Environ Med. 2004 May; 61(5):461-3.OE

Abstract

AIM

To describe a new toxic inhalation syndrome in blast furnace workers.

METHODS

Fourteen workers developed acute respiratory symptoms shortly after exposure to "air blast" from blast furnace tuyeres. These included chest tightness, dyspnoea, rigors, and diaphoresis. Chest radiographs showed pulmonary infiltrates, and lung function a restrictive abnormality. This report includes a description of clinical features of the affected workers and elucidation of the probable cause of the outbreak.

RESULTS

Clinical features and occupational hygiene measurements suggested the most likely cause was inhalation of nitrogen oxides at high pressure and temperature. While the task could not be eliminated, engineering controls were implemented to control the hazard. No further cases have occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

"Cold blast furnace syndrome" represents a previously undescribed hazard of blast furnace work, probably due to inhalation of nitrogen oxides. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute toxic inhalational injuries in blast furnace workers.

Links

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Authors+Show Affiliations

Tague I
Occupational Health Services, Bluescope Steel, Port Kembla, NSW 2500, Australia.
Llewellin P
No affiliation info available
Burton K
No affiliation info available
Buchan R
No affiliation info available
Yates DH
No affiliation info available

MeSH

Environmental MonitoringHumansInhalation ExposureMaleMetallurgyNitrogen OxidesOccupational DiseasesOccupational ExposureRespiration Disorders

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

15090669

Citation

Tague, I, et al. "Cold Blast Furnace Syndrome: a New Source of Toxic Inhalation By Nitrogen Oxides." Occupational and Environmental Medicine, vol. 61, no. 5, 2004, pp. 461-3.
Tague I, Llewellin P, Burton K, et al. Cold blast furnace syndrome: a new source of toxic inhalation by nitrogen oxides. Occup Environ Med. 2004;61(5):461-3.
Tague, I., Llewellin, P., Burton, K., Buchan, R., & Yates, D. H. (2004). Cold blast furnace syndrome: a new source of toxic inhalation by nitrogen oxides. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 61(5), 461-3.
Tague I, et al. Cold Blast Furnace Syndrome: a New Source of Toxic Inhalation By Nitrogen Oxides. Occup Environ Med. 2004;61(5):461-3. PubMed PMID: 15090669.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Cold blast furnace syndrome: a new source of toxic inhalation by nitrogen oxides. AU - Tague,I, AU - Llewellin,P, AU - Burton,K, AU - Buchan,R, AU - Yates,D H, PY - 2004/4/20/pubmed PY - 2004/5/25/medline PY - 2004/4/20/entrez SP - 461 EP - 3 JF - Occupational and environmental medicine JO - Occup Environ Med VL - 61 IS - 5 N2 - AIM: To describe a new toxic inhalation syndrome in blast furnace workers. METHODS: Fourteen workers developed acute respiratory symptoms shortly after exposure to "air blast" from blast furnace tuyeres. These included chest tightness, dyspnoea, rigors, and diaphoresis. Chest radiographs showed pulmonary infiltrates, and lung function a restrictive abnormality. This report includes a description of clinical features of the affected workers and elucidation of the probable cause of the outbreak. RESULTS: Clinical features and occupational hygiene measurements suggested the most likely cause was inhalation of nitrogen oxides at high pressure and temperature. While the task could not be eliminated, engineering controls were implemented to control the hazard. No further cases have occurred. CONCLUSIONS: "Cold blast furnace syndrome" represents a previously undescribed hazard of blast furnace work, probably due to inhalation of nitrogen oxides. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute toxic inhalational injuries in blast furnace workers. SN - 1470-7926 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/15090669/Cold_blast_furnace_syndrome:_a_new_source_of_toxic_inhalation_by_nitrogen_oxides_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -