Occupational exposure to hexachlorocyclopentadiene. How safe is sewage?
In March 1977, a large volume of the industrial chemical hexachlorocyclopentadiene (HCCPD) was dumped into a municipal sewage system in Kentucky. We evaluated the health effects of exposure to HCCPD in 145 sewage treatment plant workers. We found that 85 (59%) had noted eye irritation, 65 (45%) had headaches, and 39 (27%) had throat irritation. Symptoms occurred throughout the plant; however, highest attack rates occurred in primary sewage treatment areas. Medical examination of 41 employees three days after the plant was closed showed proteinuria and elevation of serum lactic dehydrogenase levels; these findings were not present three weeks later. This episode demonstrates the toxicity of HCCPD and emphasizes the vulnerability of sewage workers to chemical toxins in wastewater systems.
D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003517:Cyclopentanes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007629:Kentucky; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000139:chemically induced; D012722:Sewage
D000393:Air Pollutants; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D003517:Cyclopentanes; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D012722:Sewage; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; C016488:hexachlorocyclopentadiene