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12204

HEALTH IMPACT OF EXPOSURE TO COPPER AND ZINC AMONG WORKERS IN A METAL DIE CASTING FOUNDRY IN 10TH RAMADAN CITY

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Last updated: 22 Jan 2023

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Abstract

Introduction: Little information is present regarding health impact of copper and zinc exposure among metal die casting workers in Egyptian foundries. Aim of work: 1-To measure blood levels of zinc and copper among the studied groups, 2- To measure the prevalence of respiratory hazards among exposed workers and their impact, 3-To identify other health problems due to copper and zinc exposure such as anemia and respiratory disorders, and lastly 4- To correlate such problems with blood levels of zinc and copper. Material and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 male workers, 30 of them were the exposed group involved in processes like melting. The other 30 were chosen from the administrative departments in the same foundry as the reference group. All workers were interviewed using questionnaire for occupational history, respiratory and other symptoms. Blood samples were taken to measure serum copper and zinc, hemoglobin (Hb), and white blood cells counts (WBCs). Ventilatory functions were assessed too. Results: The study showed no significant difference in the blood levels of zinc and copper among the studied groups. However, symptoms related to copper and zinc toxicity were significantly more prevalent among the exposed group, like respiratory symptoms, symptoms regarding skin, throat and eye irritation, metallic taste in the mouth and exhaustion. Symptoms suggestive of metal fume fever including flue like symptoms, arthralgia, fever, and leukocytosis were more prevalent among the exposed workers, but without significant difference. There was no significant correlation between copper and zinc blood levels and other findings such as; Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire scores, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate scores, mean Hb, and WBCs level. Conclusion: Although there was no significant difference in blood levels of zinc and copper among the studied groups, exposed workers were complaining of different symptoms, one of which was respiratory symptoms that had a significant impact on their social and psychological functioning.

DOI

10.21608/ejom.2018.12204

Keywords

Copper toxicity, Zinc toxicity, Foundry hazards, Die casting, Metal fume fever and Respiratory symptoms

Authors

First Name

Shouman

Last Name

AE

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Affiliation

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University.

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Orcid

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First Name

Ahmed

Last Name

WS

MiddleName

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Affiliation

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University.

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City

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Orcid

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First Name

El Hosseini

Last Name

DM

MiddleName

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Affiliation

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University.

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City

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Orcid

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First Name

Salloum

Last Name

HA

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Affiliation

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University.

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Orcid

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Volume

42

Article Issue

3

Related Issue

2274

Issue Date

2018-09-01

Receive Date

2018-09-02

Publish Date

2018-09-01

Page Start

383

Page End

398

Print ISSN

1110-1881

Online ISSN

2357-058X

Link

https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/article_12204.html

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https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=12204

Order

5

Type

Original Article

Type Code

577

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine

Publication Link

https://ejom.journals.ekb.eg/

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Article

Created At

22 Jan 2023