[Clinical analysis on 75 cases of aluminosis caused by black fused alumina].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the hazards of aluminum dusts to the exposed workers and the clinical features of aluminosis.


METHODS
Retrospective investigation on 75 aluminosis patients from a certain factory diagnosed in Shanghai Occupational Diseases Hospital from 1972 to 2004 was carried out.


RESULTS
There were 27 cases of aluminosis I (36.0%), 28 cases of aluminosis II (37.3%) and 20 cases of aluminosis III (26.7%) among 75 cases. The shortest exposure duration was 3 years, and the longest 17 years, and 37 cases of aluminosis occurred after exposure less than 10 years. hest radiographic examination mainly showed irregular micro-shadows: t (22/75), s (4/75), t/u (1/75), t/s (2/75), or predominantly irregular mixed microshadows s/p (5/75), s/r (1/75), t/p (9/75), t/q (5/75); some showed round shape micro-shadows: p (6/75), q (1/75), p/q (3/75), q/p (1/75). 27 cases showed large shadows, 20 cases of them were diagnosed as pneumoconiosis III. A lot of irregular micro-shadows gathered and developed to form uneven, loose and border-irregular masses. Most massive fibrosis looked like stripe or plait, located mostly in middle and upper lung field. 8 patients suffered from aluminosis with single side of massive fibrosis and 12 with both sides of massive fibrosis, accounting for 40% and 60% respectively. Mediastinal and bronchopulmonary lymph nodes were enlarged and calcified, accompanied with pleural thickening.


CONCLUSIONS
Short exposure to high concentration of black fused alumina may cause serious aluminosis to the exposes. The hazards of aluminum dusts should not be ignored.
Peng
Juan-juan
JJ
Shanghai Municipal Center For Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200336, China.
Zhou
Ze-shen
ZS
Wang
Fei-yun
FY
Shen
Xiao
X
D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011009:Pneumoconiosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017132:Workplace
D000537:Aluminum Oxide