A study of dermatitis in trona miners and millers

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5584583

Rom, W N; Moshell, A; Greaves, W; Bang, K M; Holthouser, M; Campbell, D; Bernstein, R

Trona (sodium sesquicarbonate) is mined from an underground deposit in Wyoming and processed for use in the manufacture of glass, paper, and detergents, and in chemical applications. Trona dust is alkaline (pH 10.5) and may have an irritant effect on the respiratory airways, mucous membranes, and the skin. One hundred forty-two underground miners and 88 surface workers from one trona facility participated voluntarily in an epidemiologic and clinical study. Their mean age was 37.6 and their mean working period, 10.0 years. One half of the study participants complained of skin symptoms; dermatologic symptoms increased from twofold to fifteenfold after the subjects began trona mining. Trona dermatitis consists of pruritic, erythematous, raised, dry, and fissured lesions commonly affecting the hands, arms, and legs. A dose-response relationship was observed among underground workers. Patch testing with 10% aqueous trona and sodium carbonate was negative, suggesting that the dermatitis was primarily irritant in nature.

• Research Organization: Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
• OSTI ID: 5584583
• Journal Information: JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States) Vol. 25:4; ISSN JJOMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATE MINERALS
CARBONATES
DERMATITIS
DISEASES
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
EPIDEMIOLOGY
MACHINING
MILLING
MINERALS
MINERS
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERSONNEL
SKIN DISEASES
SODIUM CARBONATES
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
TOXICITY
TRONA