Biomonitoring of the Content of Fluorine in Workers in the Modern Aluminum Manufacture

Abstract

Introduction. Workers of modern aluminum plants experience long-term exposure to a complex of toxic chemical compounds, components of which are fluoride compounds. They have a chronic toxic effect on an organism. In this regard, it becomes relevant to conduct biomonitoring studies to assess the level and dynamics of excretion of fluorine in exposed workers of modern aluminum production. Material and methods. A total of 186 workers in primary aluminum production, individuals at increased professional risk (42 people) and 77 patients with established occupational diseases were examined. Results. The average fluoride - ion concentrations in the urine of aluminum production workers ranged from 1.2 ± 0.3 to 3.6 ± 0.9 mg/dm3 and were by 1.7-5.1 times higher than in the control group (0.7 ± 0.2 mg/dm3), the highest values were observed in workers of the main occupations of workshops with the technology of prebaked anodes. In workers of the high-risk group, examined in a hospital, content of fluoride ion in the urine increased by 1.1-1.4 timeswith the increase their experience of work in all experience groups (from 1.5 ± 0.2 to 2.1 ± 0.3 mg/dm3), with the exception of persons who have worked for 25 years or more (1.5 ± 0.1 mg/dm3). In workers with an established diagnosis of an occupational disease with an increase in the length of the post-exposure period there was observed a decrease in urinary fluoride ion excretion from 1.8 ± 0.1 mg/dm3 in the group with a time period up to 4 years and to 1.2±0.1 mg/dm3 in the group with 10 years or more. Conclusion. The results of studies argue a high content of fluoride ion in the urine in workers at aluminum smelters and in patients with an established diagnosis of occupational disease, which depends on the technology used, the worker’s occupation, length of service and the length of the post-contact period. This allows recommending the biomonitoring of fluoride compounds to assess occupational risks and the effectiveness of preventive and therapeutic measures.