occupational asthma to chromates
|
I was working at an engineering firm, to start with i was welding zinc plated/galvanized metal to large frames. the metal had been pre painted in primer and top coated in enamel paint, this gave off large amounts of fume, to which i had no protection from. I was then asked to spray paint jobs as they was completed, these jobs was first sprayed in a primer then sprayed with a top coat of enamel. some of the paints and primers contained lead chromate and zinc chromate pigments. these been mixed with such VOC's as tolurene xylene and MEK's, to thin them down to spray. in one job i was spraying for over a 5 hour period. the only PPE available was that of a 3m paper mask. within 2 to 3 months of starting this job i began to have breathing problems. i noticed that on a weekend my breathing improved. i went to my Gp as my breathing was getting worse. not been able to see him, and seeing the practice nurse i was told it was just a cold i had ,. I took a week off work, and within a few days i felt much better and returned to work. By this time I had been spraying for around 4 months, as well as doing some welding. some of my work was around stainless steel welding. later i was feeling very ill with my breathing. I went back to my GP again. this time he did some tests, and refered me to a speciaist, who diagnosed me as having occupational asthma. I then began the process of making a claim for compensation. In the last 3 years I have under gone a number of tests and it was confirmed that i had OA. I had to obtain MSDS information on the paints and thinners i used , as it was the painting that was suspected of causing my illness. having got this information my claim progressed until a few weeks ago. I my self have ended up having to find out information online as it seems that my solicitors and there medical team seem to be having problems in now proving my claim. both my doctor and the defendents both agree that it is due to sensitisation to Cr VI chromates, also the engineer as said the same. but there engineer claims that it is not! even though there as been a great deal of evidence stating that these things are a known sensitiser. also they seem not to be able to say IF i was exposed long enough to become sensitised. even though I was welding items that release Cr VI fumes as well as spraying paints with Cr VI pigments in. information as been found that says that a single large exposure can cause sensitisation from a number of studies in to OA. Yet i have now been told that my case may now collapse. could you please give me some advice as to weather with all the types of exposure that i have had is it possible for sensitisation to happen. I would be very greatful for any advice you maybe able to offer.
|
Chrome V6 is a well recognised sensitiser, the lead based paints and thiners arnt. Welding through zinc coated metal can cause metal fume fever, the evidence for occupational asthma from zinc is present but not so strong as for chrome. Single large exposures can result in long-term asthma, usually without sensitisation (acute irritant induced asthma or RADS), but continuous ordinary exposure can cause occupational asthma with sensitisation. In the UK you should be able to get industrial injuries benefit (from the DWP) for occupational asthma due to stainless steel welding fume (direct or indirect exposure). The best reference for stainless steel occupational asthma is attached, but there are many more on the website
Hannu T, Piipari R, Tuppurainen M, Nordman H, Tuomi T, Occupational asthma caused by stainless steel welding fumes: a clinical study , Eur Respir J, 2007; 29 : 85-90
|
Please sign in or register to add your thoughts.