Ann Occup Environ Med.
2016 ;28(1):65. 10.1186/s40557-016-0153-9.
Two cases of methyl alcohol intoxication by sub-chronic inhalation and dermal exposure during aluminum CNC cutting in a small-sized subcontracted factory
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
- 2Department of Ophthalmology, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
- 3Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
- 4Department of Neurology, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
- 5Department of Emergency Medicine, Catholic University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
- 6Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, 911-1, Mok-6-dong, Yangchun-gu, Seoul, 158-710 South Korea. hyunjoo@ewha.ac.kr
- KMID: 2370945
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-016-0153-9
Abstract
- BACKGROUND
Methyl alcohol poisoning has been mainly reported in community. Two cases of methyl alcohol poisoning occurred in a small-sized subcontracted factory which manufactured smartphone parts in Korea.
CASE PRESENTATION
One young female patient presented with dyspnea and visual disturbance. Another young male patient presented with visual disturbance and myalgia. They treated with sodium bicarbonate infusion and hemodialysis for metabolic acidosis. In addition, he received ethyl alcohol per oral treatment. Her and his urinary methyl alcohol concentration was detected as 7.632 mg/L, 46.8 mg/L, respectively, although they were treated hemodialysis. Results of the working environment measurement showed that the concentration of methyl alcohol (1030.1-2220.5 ppm) in the air exceeded the time weighted average (200 ppm). They were diagnosed with optic neuropathy due to methyl alcohol poisoning and still have visual impairment.
CONCLUSIONS
Workers who hired as dispatched employees in a small-sized subcontracted factory were exposed to high concentrations of methyl alcohol. The workplace had poor ventilation system. In addition, workers did not wear proper personal protect equipment. Working environment measurement and annual chekups for workers were not performed. They were in a blind spot to occupational safety and health. More attention is needed to protect vulnerable workers' health.
Keyword
- Full Text Links
-
- Actions
-
Cited
- CITED
-
- Close
- Share
-
- Similar articles
-
- Screening of Workers with Presumed Occupational Methanol Poisoning: The Applicablility of a National Active Occupational Disease Surveillance System
- Acute Alcohol Intoxication in a Child
- Serum Aluminum Level in End-Stage Renal Failure
- A Case Report of Acute Encephalopathy by Aluminum Intoxication with Subdural Hematoma in End Stage Renal Failure
- Case Series for Occupational Dermatosis in a Factory Treating Liquid Waste Mixtures
