Three Occupationally Exposed Cases of Severe Methyl Bromide Poisoning: Accident Caused by a Gas Leak during the Fumigation of a Folklore Museum

Yamano, Yuko; Nakadate, Toshio

doi:10.1539/joh.48.129

Cited by 17 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Methyl bromide is an odourless, colourless, toxic gas primarily used in fumigation. It is known to cause fatalities and serious morbidity, even with the use of recommended protective measures . It is absorbed via inhalation and absorption from the skin, and is rapidly dispersed into the lungs, kidneys, testes and adipose tissue .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chronic methyl bromide toxicity is ameliorated by haemodialysis

Khor

Hepburn

Chiew

et al. 2020

Internal Medicine Journal

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Methyl bromide is an odourless, colourless, highly volatile gas, primarily used in fumigation. It can cause significant neurotoxicity, especially with chronic exposure. Haemodialysis has been used in acute toxicity, but its utility in chronic exposure has never been reported. We report the use of haemodialysis in a 20‐year‐old man with chronic methyl bromide toxicity affecting the optic nerves, brain and spinal cord. The patient underwent eight haemodialysis sessions with improvement in plasma bromine concentration, half‐life and marked clinical recovery. The case demonstrates the utility of haemodialysis in the treatment of chronic methyl bromide toxicity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chronic methyl bromide toxicity is ameliorated by haemodialysis

Khor

Hepburn

Chiew

et al. 2020

Internal Medicine Journal

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“…Symptoms of exposure to MeBr can be diverse, ranging from mild symptoms 15,18) such as headache, nausea, vomiting, or burn wounds, to neurological symptoms 6,19) such as intention tremors, action myoclonus, and convulsions, and in serious cases, even death 20) . In the factory involved in the present study, however, no serious cases have been reported.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…By occupation, 41.8% of cases occurred in agricultural workers exposed during soil fumigation, 22.4% in workers engaged in pest eradication when fumigating museums or other institutions, and 16.4% in workers engaged in MeBr manufacture (including exposed asymptomatic individuals). At present, although the number of incidents in the manufacturing setting has markedly decreased 6) , the circumstances under which exposure can occur remain unclear.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupational Exposure in Methyl Bromide Manufacturing Workers: 17-year Follow-up Study of Urinary Bromide Ion Concentration for Biological Monitoring

et al. 2011

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To elucidate the circumstances of their occupational exposure to methyl bromide (MeBr), we conducted a 17-yr study on 124 workers employed by a MeBr manufacturer. Subjects were classified into three groups according to the nature of their work: synthesis group, filling group, and other group. Urinary concentrations of bromide ion (Br -) were assessed, and data attained via MeBr-health examinations were analyzed. The highest Br -concentrations were seen in the synthesis group, with a median value of 13.0 μg/mg CRE (2.5-51.8), followed by the filling group, with a concentration of 11.9 μg/mg CRE (3.1-34.8). Both values were significantly higher than the levels noted in the other group (p<0.001). Three major opportunities for exposure were identified: during exchange of reaction equipment for maintenance or cleaning, during operations to adjust for weight variations after filling canisters, or when canisters were recycled. Overall, however, the workplace environment concentration remained largely below the administrative control level throughout the study period. Therefore, while this was a relatively well-controlled workplace, exposure opportunities still arose when performing certain tasks, indicating the need for ongoing improvement in workplace procedures and underscoring the importance of biological monitoring.

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“…A myoclonus state, i.e. subintrant generalized synchronous symmetrical myoclonus, uncontrolled by therapeutics, may still be observed over weeks or months after exposure 4,23) . Neuropathological examinations of fatal cases reveal changes resembling Wernicke's encephalopathy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Cluster of Neurological Signs and Symptoms in Soil Fumigators

Magnavita

2009

Journal of Occupational Health

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Three Occupationally Exposed Cases of Severe Methyl Bromide Poisoning: Accident Caused by a Gas Leak during the Fumigation of a Folklore Museum

Cited by 17 publications

References 9 publications

Chronic methyl bromide toxicity is ameliorated by haemodialysis

Chronic methyl bromide toxicity is ameliorated by haemodialysis

Occupational Exposure in Methyl Bromide Manufacturing Workers: 17-year Follow-up Study of Urinary Bromide Ion Concentration for Biological Monitoring

A Cluster of Neurological Signs and Symptoms in Soil Fumigators

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