Metal fume fever.
Metal fume fever is an acute self-limited illness induced most commonly by inhalation of zinc oxide fumes. The affected individual characteristically experiences the rapid onset of intense shaking chills, fever, and body aches a few hours after exposure, and symptoms dissipate spontaneously. While the occurrence of metal fume fever appears to be widespread and the current TLV/PEL of 5 mg/m3 and STEL of 10 mg/m3 may not be fully protective, no chronic health sequelae have been documented to date. Nonetheless, as any worker who has experienced a full-blown case will likely testify, metal fume fever remains one of the more noxious short-term illnesses contracted in the workplace, and its prevention deserves serious attention.
Gordon
T
T
Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Medical Center, Tuxedo 10987.
Fine
J M
JM
D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008669:Metallurgy; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D013577:Syndrome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000009:adverse effects*
D015034:Zinc Oxide