Cases of acute mercury poisoning by mercury vapor exposure during the demolition of a fluorescent lamp factory.
10.1186/s40557-017-0184-x
- Author:
Sang Yoon DO
1
;
Chul Gab LEE
;
Jae Yoon KIM
;
Young Hoon MOON
;
Min Sung KIM
;
In Ho BAE
;
Han Soo SONG
Author Information
1. Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, Chosun University Hospital, 365 Pilmun-daero Dong-gu, Gwangju, 61453 South Korea. oemsong@gmail.com.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Mercury vapor;
Elemental mercury;
Occupational exposure;
Swan neck deformity;
Chloroacne;
Fluorescent lamp factory;
Korea
- MeSH:
Anesthesiology;
Anxiety Disorders;
Burns;
Chelation Therapy;
Congenital Abnormalities;
Cough;
Depression;
Dreams;
Erectile Dysfunction;
Exanthema;
Fatigue;
Fingers;
Humans;
Hyperpigmentation;
Korea;
Male;
Mercury Poisoning*;
Myalgia;
Neck;
Occupational Exposure;
Paresthesia;
Poisoning;
Pruritus;
Sensation;
Skin;
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders;
Sputum
- From:Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
2017;29(1):19-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: In 2015, workers dismantling a fluorescent lamp factory in Korea were affected by mercury poisoning from exposure to mercury vapor. CASE PRESENTATION: Eighteen out of the 21 workers who participated in the demolition project presented with symptoms of poisoning and, of these, 10 had persistent symptoms even at 18 months after the initial exposure to mercury vapor. Early symptoms of 18 workers included a general skin rash, pruritus, myalgia, sleep disturbance, and cough and sputum production. Following alleviation of these initial symptoms, late symptoms, such as easy fatigue, insomnia, bad dreams, and anxiety disorder, began to manifest in 10 out of 18 patients. Seven workers underwent psychiatric care owing to sleep disturbance, anxiety disorder, and depression, and three workers underwent dermatologic treatment for hyperpigmentation, erythematous skin eruption, and chloracne-like skin lesions. Furthermore, three workers developed a coarse jerky movement, two had swan neck deformity of the fingers, and two received care at an anesthesiology clinic for paresthesia, such as burning sensation, cold sensation, and pain. Two workers underwent urologic treatment for dysfunction of the urologic system and impotence. However, symptomatic treatment did not result in satisfactory relief of these symptoms. CONCLUSION: Awareness of the perils of mercury and prevention of mercury exposure are critical for preventing health hazards caused by mercury vapor. Chelation therapy should be performed promptly following mercury poisoning to minimize damage.
