Investigation of an occupational acute carbon monoxide poisoning incident caused by nitrogen generator failure
10.20001/j.issn.2095-2619.20250422
- VernacularTitle:1起制氮机故障所致职业性急性一氧化碳中毒事件调查
- Author:
Xianbang CAO
1
;
Youhui HE
;
Weifeng ZHENG
;
Dan XU
Author Information
1. Huangpu District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510530, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Nitrogen;
Carbon monoxide;
Occupational poisoning;
Acute poisoning;
Carboxyhemoglobin
- From:
China Occupational Medicine
2025;52(2):237-241
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To analyze the characteristics and causes of an occupational acute carbon monoxide poisoning incident caused by a nitrogen generator malfunction. Methods The workers and the workshop from an electronic component manufacturing company in Guangzhou City, which had an occupational acute carbon monoxide poisoning incident, were selected as the research subjects using the retrospective investigation method. Relevant data of worksite survey of occupational health, clinical records of poisoning patients, and occupational disease diagnosis data were collected for analysis. Results A total of 15 workers who experienced discomfort in this incident, were from the final inspection workshop using high-purity nitrogen (purity of 99.999%). The short-term exposure concentration of carbon monoxide in the workplace air at three oven operating posts using high-purity nitrogen was 64.1, 581.0, and 142.0 mg/m³, respectively, while the concentration in the workplace air at the oven operating posts using regular nitrogen and the nitrogen-generating room was <0.1 mg/m³. Carboxyhemoglobin saturation levels in the 15 patients ranged from 2.000%-17.300%. Occupational acute mild carbon monoxide poisoning was diagnosed in nine patients, occupational acute carbon monoxide exposure reactions was diagnosed in six patients. This poisoning incident was caused by machine malfunction and improper operation, leading to occupational acute carbon monoxide poisoning. Conclusion Companies using nitrogen production machine should enhance their ability to identify carbon monoxide risks, strengthen training and management of workers, establish emergency response plans for nitrogen production and use, ensure proper maintenance of production equipment, and optimize operational procedures to prevent acute poisoning incidents.
