Pseudo-outbreak of antimony toxicity in firefighters - Florida, 2009.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep
; 58(46): 1300-2, 2009 Nov 27.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19940836
Antimony oxides, in combination with halogens, have been used as flame retardants in textiles since the 1960s. Uniforms made from fabric containing antimony are common among the estimated 1.1 million firefighters in the United States. In October 2008, CDC received a report from the fire chief of a fire department in Florida (fire department A) regarding an outbreak of antimony toxicity among 30 firefighters who had elevated antimony levels detected in hair samples. This report summarizes the ensuing health hazard evaluation conducted by CDC to determine the source of antimony exposure. In February 2009, CDC administered questionnaires to and collected urine samples from two groups of firefighters: 20 firefighters from fire department A who did not wear pants made from antimony-containing fabric, and 42 firefighters from fire department B (also located in Florida) who did. All 20 firefighters from fire department A and 41 (98%) from fire department B had urine antimony concentrations below or within the laboratory reference range. CDC concluded that wearing pants made from antimony-containing fabric was not associated with elevated levels of urinary antimony. Only validated methods (e.g., urine testing) should be used for the determination of antimony toxicity. Accurate and timely risk communication during suspected workplace exposures should underscore the importance of using validated tests, thereby refuting an unproven hypothesis, allaying unsubstantiated concerns, and enhancing public trust.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Ropa de Protección
/
Brotes de Enfermedades
/
Exposición Profesional
/
Retardadores de Llama
/
Antimonio
Tipo de estudio:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep
Año:
2009
Tipo del documento:
Article
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos