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The authors present the results of a study of occupational exposure to carcinogenic metals: arsenic, nickel and chromium in four nonferrous plants. Air samples were collected from workplaces of a high potential exposure and measured by GFAAS (graphite flameless atomic absorption spectrometry). On the basis of the results obtained, potential health effects of exposure were assessed by comparing concentrations of arsenic, nickel and chromium with hygienic standard values and assessing cancer risk. It was found that concentrations of arsenic, nickel and chromium, expressed by geometric means, were lower at workplaces than hygienic standard values. A relative cancer risk induced by the occupational exposure to nickel and chromium was comparable with a relative cancer risk of environmental exposure of the population living in the Katowice region while in the case of arsenic, cancer risk was almost 50 times higher.

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The analysis of mercury vapour concentrations in the working zone indicated considerable variations in full shift measurements--from 1/10 MAC to over 3 MAC at the acetic aldehyde production and 40 MAC at the chlorine electrolysis. Individual dosimeters were used in the sample collection and an absorptive ASA atomic spectometry with cool vapour attachment was applied for qualitative determination. The results obtained correspond, to greater extent, with observed high level of mercury excreted with urine than with data of stationary measurements taken in the period of even higher production.

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The studies were carried out in three coke plants mostly with the use of individual dosimetric methods but also with the stationary method. They revealed the values 2-5 times exceeding the MAC of the tar substances in the air of all workposts, and benzo(a)pyrene at several posts only. The other toxic substances like benzene homologous and benzologous and dust exceeded the MAC value only incidentally so that the workers of this department were less exposed than the people employed directly at the coke production. The ergonomic examinations did not reveal any excess of energetic expenditure or physiological cost. The results of medical studies will be presented in further papers.

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Manganese concentrations were determined in the ferromanganese plant. In 300 stationary and individual samples manganese was determined by pulse polarography (sensitivity-0.007 mg/m3, precision-10%). The present manganese concentrations are lower than those from earlier studies. Over 50% workers are exposed to manganese concentrations slightly exceeding threshold limit values (TLVs) (0.09-0.43 mg/m3). The other workers are exposed to concentrations several times higher than the TLVs (0.82-1.91 mg/m3). At some workplaces lead concentrations were also determined. TLVs for lead were not surpassed. In result of the use of anodic mass in arc furnaces, the occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) is thought possible. Recommendations related to monitoring and selection of workplaces with the same exposures for medical estimation were given. Possible risks for people living near the plant were pointed out.

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The dust was sampled using personal samplers and stationary aspirators. PAHs were determined by thin layer chromatography and spectrophotometry in the UV and Vis range. In the samples the concentrations of coal tar pitch volatiles (benzene extract) and phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, tetraphene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(e)pyrene, perylene, 1,12 benzoperylene, indeno(1,2,3-cd) pyrene were determined. The qualitative analysis identified all these hydrocarbons but only fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, tetraphene and benzo(a)pyrene could be quantitatively determined. The benzene extract concentration exceeds the value of 0.2 mg/m3 in 50% of samples. Much higher results were obtained for tar-concrete (1.45-2.85 mg/m3) than for asphalt-concrete (0.14-0.71 mg/m3). Also the drivers are exposed to excess benzene extract concentrations (0.055-0.669 mg/m3). Laboratory workers were found to be exposed to high concentrations of PAH and several solvents.

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concentrations of hydrogen fluoride and fluorides were determined near pots with a vertical pin Söderberg anodes and near the prototype pot with a prebaked anode. Samples were collected by the stationary method and with personal samplers (Casella) where the membrane filter was connected with the bubbler filled with 0.1 M NaOH. Hydrogen fluoride and fluorides were determined by colorimetric and potentiometric methods. Altogether 300 samples were determined. Fluorides concentrations near pots with Söderberg anodes ranged between 1.42-2.43 mg/m3 (P = 95), geometric mean being 1.86 mg/m3 (with stationary and personal samples). The range of hydrogen fluoride concentrations was 1.28-3.08 mg/m3 (P = 95), whereas geometric mean--1.99 mg/m3 (personal samples). Hydrogen fluoride concentrations in stationary samples were lower (geometric mean--1.47 mg/m3). Fluorides concentrations during the tests with the prototype pot (prebaked anode) were five times lower, as compared to fluorides concentrations near the traditional pots.

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Psychological tests and EEG investigations were applied for detecting early signs of neurotoxicity of organic solvents present in glues used in the production of shoes (extraction benzin, toluene and n-hexane). In 5% of the obtained samples the permissible benzin concentration was exceeded, and in 10% of samples this permissible concentration of toluene was exceeded. Psychological testing was done in 100 subjects. The intelligence level was at the lower normal range. Organic cortical changes were demonstrated in 35 cases, and borderline pathological changes in 28 cases. The test of L. Bender suggested damage to the occipital cortex in 31, and the Graham-Kendal test demonstrated abnormalities in 13 cases. EEG was done in 56 subjects in this group and in another 9 subjects with a high concentration of toluene metabolite. In 75.4% of subjects the EEG findings were classified as normal, within normal limits or borderline normal. Abnormal EEG tracings were found in 24.0%. Diffuse, slight or moderately intense abnormalities were present in 7 cases, focal abnormalities in 4 and seizure activity in 7. Most subjects with abnormal EEG findings worked under conditions of excessive exposure, with the summarized exposure index exceeding the acceptable one. No correlation was demonstrated between cortical pathological changes and the degree of occupational exposure and the type of EEG tracings. The authors suggest that organic occipital cortical changes may be regarded as an early phase of organic brain damage syndrome and disturbances of cerebral bioelectric activity as a sign of individual biological response to chronic action of organic solvents on the organism.

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In the group of 349 women exposed to organic solvents, chiefly extraction naphtha, n-hexane and toluene, medical examinations were carried out. Among them the 100 persons without signs of chronic intoxication were selected. In this group the following examinations were performed: Graham-Kendall's and Bender's psychologic tests, electroencephalograms, testing motor conduction of peripheral nerves. In the exposed and control groups urinary phenol and hippuric acid content was determined. Air solvents concentration at work environment was also measured. Within the examined group, psychologic tests score was as follows: 37 persons without organic changes, 28 on the border-1 and of the norm, 35 with cortical organic changes. No significant difference in average urinary phenol and hippuric acid content was found in 3 groups mentioned above. The hippuric acid excretion in the exposed group was significantly higher than in the control one. Hippuric acid in workers with normal and abnormal electrocardiograms was at the same level. No difference in the hippuric acid concentration in groups with normal and slowed nerve conduction velocity was noticed. The urinary phenol content in the exposed and control groups was at the same level. At some work posts extraction naphtha and toluene concentration exceeded MAC. Cortical organic changes and subclinical neuropathy were significantly more frequent in workers exposed to high concentrations of extraction naphtha and toluene. The authors suppose that subclinical signs, detectable by means of psychologic and neurophysiologic methods, may be considered as early symptoms of individual reaction to organic solvents.

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Due to a number of cases of acute arsine poisonings in one of zinc metallurgic plants, the environmental concentrations of arsenic compounds were determined. In the technological process of zinc metallurgy, the highest arsine concentrations can occur: a) during zinc refining in the furnace, where, because of the full automatization process, the presence of workers is not necessary, b) during the refining furnace repair--because of the melting loss wetting. Levels of arsenic concentrations, just as cadmium and zinc concentrations, according to the valid hygienic standards, are very low at the shaft furnace and the agglomerating plant. The urinary arsenic concentrations in workers has not exceeded 100 micrograms/l and these results also testify to a small exposure. However, it is necessary to take into account the high lead concentrations at some work-posts, both due to the multiple exceeding of the hygienic standard, and the simultaneous occurrence of lead and arsenic, which create a potential possibility of forming more toxic compounds, e.g. lead arsenide. In view of the carcinogenic exposure, it is important to take into account the possibility of interaction between arsenic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbones which occur during coke dry degassing.

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The authors present the results of medical examinations of 444 workers from an aluminum electrolysis plants with occupational exposure to fluorides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, aluminum dust and electromagnetic fields. The concentration of fluorides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exceeded the accepted levels. Nervous system changes, probably caused by occupational harmful factors, were demonstrated in 123 workers, with neurotic syndromes in 89. Slight pyramidal and cerebellar changes were observed in the remaining 39 workers. In 71 cases EEG investigations were done and 10 were abnormal, including 9 with seizure activity, and one with diffuse changes. The authors stress great difficulties in evaluating the combined action of toxic and physical factors on the nervous system.

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92 cadmium accumulators operators had their blood and urine cadmium concentrations determined. At nine workstations, during three years, repeated CdO concentrations measurements were made in the air by a stationary method, and additionally, at two workstations, measurements by an individual sampler were taken. The investigation showed a good correlation between CdO airborne concentrations measurements made by a stationary method and those made by individual samplers only at those workstations where workers do not change their place during a working day. Cadmiumuria indicated a greater dependence on the degree of exposure than did the concentration of this metal in blood. The findings suggest that cadmium concentration in blood and urine after body stores saturation is a better informant of current exposure than of cadmium stored in the organism.

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Concentrations of cadmium at 9 selected workplaces were measured for 3 years. Cadmium was determined by squarewave polarography. Results ranged between 0.024 mg/m3--0.737 mg/m3 (mean concentrations). The highest concentrations occurred at cadmium electrodes production for strip plate batteries. The study of cadmium concentration along with medical examinations allowed to specify how far Vitamin C administration might affect the health status of cadmium--exposed workers.

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Concentractions of aerosols, amount of polycyclic hydrocarbons, in terms of soluble in benzene fraction and benzo(a)pyrene concentration were determined in coking plant air. Air was sampled on the roofs of modern coke batteries and on old-type batteries prior to, and following, modernization and major reapir. Aerosols were determined by passing 10--100 m3 of air through a 26 X 18.5 cm filter. After a weight determination of aerosol content the filter was subjected to benzene extraction and aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons were isolated from the extract, using thin-layer chromatography. Quantitative determination of these hydrocarbons was done using ultraviolet spectrophotometry. Results of determinations on work-posts in modern and old-type coke batteries prior to, and following, modernization were comapred. Average concentrations of aerosols in the air, amounts of polycyclic hydrocarbons soluble in benzene and concentration of benzo(a)pyrene determined on the roofs of old coke batteries before modernization were as follows: 11.26 mg/m3, 6.37 ug/m3 and 112.28 mg/m3, and after modernization: 0.88 mg/m3, 0.25 mg/m3 and 1.29 ug/m3, respectively. On the roofs of modern high chamber coke batteries average concentrations of aerosols, polycyclic hydrocarbons--benzo(a)pyrene amounts were: 4.21 mg/m3, 0.79 mg/m3 and 5.72 ug/m3, respectively. The results clearly demonstrate that work conditions in modernized coking plants are much better than those in old non-modernized coking plants.

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