Ocular complications of malfunctioning mercury vapor lamps.
We report an outbreak of keratoconjunctivitis and skin erythema caused by ultraviolet radiation from a damaged high-intensity mercury vapor lamp. Twenty-six persons became ill after using a basketball court; symptoms included conjunctivitis (100%), skin erythema (54%), and punctate keratitis (19%). This outbreak is one of 37 similar episodes involving at least 629 persons reported to the Food and Drug Administration since 1969. Physicians should be aware that damaged high-intensity mercury vapor lamps are a continuing public health problem with substantial morbidity. Measures to prevent such occurrences are suggested.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004868:Equipment Failure; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*