An Assessment of Health Effects Among Workers in the “Surface Active Substances Plant”

Epidemiology2006Vol. 17(Suppl), pp. S515–S515

Abstract

P-753 Background: In Sumgayit, the most severe industrial problem is linked to the use of mercury in caustic soda and chlorine production at the “Surface active substances” plant. The processing facilities are in poor condition and heavily corroded. Mercury contamination was identified as the most important environmental problem of Sumgayit. It is estimated that mercury losses have been 1 kg per ton of chlorine produced. 100–150 tones of metallic mercury have been accumulated in the soil at the old factory side, and also mercury contaminated sludge has accumulated in the Sludge Basins located at the bank of the Sumgayit river. The aim of the study was to assess health effects in workers who worked at the “Surface active substances” plant and retired because of occupational diseases. The study was conducted at an occupational diseases clinic of Azerbaijan National Research Institute for Medical Prophylaxis. Methods: During 1990–2000 years 151 workers of SASP were registered with the occupational diseases. All of these patients were examined. Results: The study showed that mercury intoxication was present in16 workers (11%) in electrolysis shop patients, hydrocarbon intoxication was present in 13 workers (8,6%) in alkyl benzene shop, mixed chemical intoxication was present in18 workers (12%) in butyl ether department patients; 5 workers (3,3%) experienced toxic encephalopathy and 9 workers (6%) experienced phenol intoxication. Chronic bronchitis was found in 59 (39%) workers (technical staff). Psychological disorder was recorded in 7 patients. It was recorded that the cognitive ability of the children of these workers is weak. The teeth of all of these patients fell out. Interview results indicated that among these patients 30% of women had disordered menstrual cycle and 35% of men had impotence. All of them had a different rate of functional disorders in their nervous system and had gastrointestinal diseases. The study showed that all of these workers and technical staff have experienced a different level of harmful condition in production. Ongoing medical examination of these workers of this plant shows that regardless of the workplace most workers have the following diseases: anemia, stomatitis, gingivitis, functional disorders of nervous system, gastrointestinal disorder, immune system abatement and etc. Medical examination of current employees of the plant continue to develop and implement complex prophylactic and sanitary measures.

Abstract

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