Saf Health Work.  2012 Mar;3(1):58-66.

Outbreak of Sudden Cardiac Deaths in a Tire Manufacturing Facility: Can It Be Caused by Nanoparticles?

• Kim EA
• Park J
• Kim KH
• Lee N
• Kim DS
• Kang SK

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to review clinical characteristics and working environments of sudden cardiac death (SCD) cases associated with a tire manufacturer in Korea, and review possible occupational risk factors for cardiovascular disease including nanoparticles (ultrafine particles, UFPs).
METHODS
We reviewed (i) the clinical course of SCD cases and (ii) occupational and non-occupational risk factors including chemicals, the physical work environment, and job characteristics.
RESULTS
Possible occupational factors were chemicals, UFPs of rubber fume, a hot environment, shift work, overworking, and noise exposure. The mean diameter of rubber fume (63-73 nm) was (larger than diesel exhaust [12 nm] and outdoor dust [50 nm]). The concentration of carbon disulfide, carbon monoxide and styrene were lower than the limit of detection. Five SCD cases were exposed to shift work and overworking. Most of the cases had several non-occupational factors such as hypertension, overweight and smoking.
CONCLUSION
The diameter of rubber fume was larger than outdoor and the diesel exhaust, the most well known particulate having a causal relationship with cardiovascular disease. The possibility of a causal relation between UFPs of rubber fume and SCD was not supported in this study. However, it is necessary to continue studying the relationship between large sized UFPs and SCD.

Keyword

Cardiac arrest; Rubber; Nanoparticles; Heat stress disorder; Shift work

MeSH Terms

Carbon Disulfide
Carbon Monoxide
Cardiovascular Diseases
Death, Sudden, Cardiac
Dust
Heart Arrest
Heat Stress Disorders
Hypertension
Korea
Limit of Detection
Nanoparticles
Noise
Overweight
Risk Factors
Rubber
Styrene
Vehicle Emissions
Carbon Disulfide
Carbon Monoxide
Dust
Rubber
Styrene
Vehicle Emissions