Health risks from exposure to industrial aerosols of soluble and insoluble nickel compounds

Abstract

Introduction. Despite the implementation of active preventive measures, employees of nickel enterprises, remain to belong to a group of increased risk of occupational pathology. Aim. comparative analysis of the risks to occupational health in workers exposed to soluble and insoluble nickel compounds in various specialties of the nickel industry. Materials and methods. A retrospective observational study of the health status and development of occupational pathology was carried out among seven hundred sixty three workers of pyrometallurgical and 1395 workers of electrolysis nickel processing plants during 2008–2023. Results. Over the course of 15 years, 112 and 221 occupational diseases were first identified in 57 (7.5%) of 763 pyrometallurgical workers and 100 (7.2%) of 1,395 nickel electrolysis workers. The risk of developing occupational pathology among workers of the two industries did not differ: RR 1.04; CI 0.76-1.43; p=0.797. In 2009–2023 There were no significant trend in the number of workers with primary occupational diseases and their number. Of all the specialists, the greatest risk of occupational pathology was found among finished product cleaners and smelters. The maximum level of occupational morbidity was found among cleaners and smelters (323.62 and 229.69 cases / 10,000 workers), and the minimum – among repairmen, crane operators, roasters (pyrometallurgical production) and electricians of electrolysis production (35–45 cases / 10,000 workers). Limitations. The number of observations in some groups of specialists is insufficient for statistical processing. Conclusion. The risk of developing occupational pathology does not depend on the solubility or insolubility of nickel compounds in industrial aerosols, but is largely determined by the final class of working conditions and the specialty of the worker. When carrying out measures to reduce health risks, it is necessary to take into account not only the class of working conditions, but also their characteristics for specialists at various technological stages of nickel production.