A Study of Dermatitis in Trona Miners and Millers

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 th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of occupational medicine 1983-04, Vol.25 (4), p.295-299
Main Authors: Rom, William N., Moshell, Alan, Greaves, William, Bang, Ki Moon, Holthouser, Michael, Campbell, David, Bernstein, Robert
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Bicarbonates - adverse effects
Biological and medical sciences
Carbonates - adverse effects
Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases
Dermatitis - chemically induced
Dermatitis - epidemiology
Dust - adverse effects
Humans
Inorganic dusts (pneumoconiosises) and organic dusts (byssinosis etc.)
Medical sciences
Mining
Occupational Diseases - chemically induced
Occupational Diseases - epidemiology
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Toxicology
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Summary: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, 70.0 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 doseresponse relationship was observed among underground workers. Patch testing with 70% aqueous trona and sodium carbonate was negative, suggesting that the dermatitis was primarily irritant in nature.
ISSN:0096-1736
2332-3795