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Med. Pr. 2005;56(2)

Occupational exposure to carcinogenic metals and metalloids in refining of heavy metals

Narażenie zawodowe na rakotwórcze metale i metaloidy w procesach rafinacji metali ciężkich

Ewa Gawęda Z Zakładu Zagrożeń Chemicznych i Pyłowych Centralnego Instytut Ochrony Pracy Państwowego Instytutu Badawczego w Warszawie

Abstract

Background: The article presents the results of measurements of carcinogenic metals (cadmium, nickel) and metalloids (arsenic) concentrations in the workplace air in processes of heavy metals refining. Materials and Methods: The tests wereconducted in two large Polish plants (copper smelter - Plant I, non-ferrous metals smelter - Plant II) at a few dozen workstations in copper, zinc, cadmium, lead, silver refining, sulphate Ni(I), and selenium production. The tested elements were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with graphite tube (AAS-GT). Air samples were taken according to the principles of personal dosimetry. Results: The presence of arsenic in the workplace air was found in both plants. In Plant I, exposure to arsenic was diversified - from very low in copper electro-refining processes, to higher than the Polish MAC value in copper, and higher than 0.5 Polish MAC value in silver refining processes. In Plant II, the amounts of arsenic determined in the air were smaller, however, the average values of occupational exposure factor were frequently higher than Polish MAC value of 0.1. Exposure to cadmium occurs only in Plant II. The highest exposure was found at workstations in the lead and cadmium refining processes. But even in these processes, occupational exposure factors Cw did not exceed the Polish MAC value for cadmium. The presence of nickel was found only at workstations with NiSO4 production, however, its concentrations were very low (fractions of the Polish MAC value). Conclusions: The results of the tests show that routine measurements of arsenic concentrations should be recommended at all workstations in the production processes of metals with a high degree of purity.

Key words

heavy metals, refining processes, carcinogenic metals and metalloids, occupational exposure