Zinc fever in a painter and varnisher: a case report.
Aerosol
Exposure to zinc oxide
Low temperature
Occupational accidents
Painter
Varnisher
Zinc fever
Journal
Journal of medical case reports
ISSN: 1752-1947
Titre abrégé: J Med Case Rep
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101293382
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
10 Jul 2024
10 Jul 2024
Historique:
received:
30
11
2023
accepted:
27
05
2024
medline:
10
7
2024
pubmed:
10
7
2024
entrez:
9
7
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Zinc fever is well described in medical literature, particularly in workers after handling zinc-containing materials at high temperatures e.g., in the welding of hot-dip galvanized steel sheets. It is not known whether zinc fever also occurs at low temperatures. We present the case of a 33-year-old Caucasian atopic painter and varnisher with work-related dyspnea, sweating, as well as multiple occurrences of fever. He was sent to Institute for Prevention and Occupational medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA) for the evaluation of isocyanate asthma, but an inhalative challenge with hexamethylene diisocyanate was negative. Since symptoms were closely related to the use of zinc coatings at room temperature without adequate protective measures, the diagnosis of zinc fever was made. After exposure cessation the worker immediately became symptom-free. The work as painter and varnisher may be associated with various exposures to hazardous substances. Besides solvents, epoxy compounds and isocyanates, which can cause obstructive respiratory diseases; additionally, zinc-containing agents should be considered as health hazards. This case demonstrates that zinc fever may occur also after application of zinc coatings by spray painting at low temperatures.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Zinc fever is well described in medical literature, particularly in workers after handling zinc-containing materials at high temperatures e.g., in the welding of hot-dip galvanized steel sheets. It is not known whether zinc fever also occurs at low temperatures.
CASE PRESENTATION
METHODS
We present the case of a 33-year-old Caucasian atopic painter and varnisher with work-related dyspnea, sweating, as well as multiple occurrences of fever. He was sent to Institute for Prevention and Occupational medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA) for the evaluation of isocyanate asthma, but an inhalative challenge with hexamethylene diisocyanate was negative. Since symptoms were closely related to the use of zinc coatings at room temperature without adequate protective measures, the diagnosis of zinc fever was made. After exposure cessation the worker immediately became symptom-free. The work as painter and varnisher may be associated with various exposures to hazardous substances. Besides solvents, epoxy compounds and isocyanates, which can cause obstructive respiratory diseases; additionally, zinc-containing agents should be considered as health hazards.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
This case demonstrates that zinc fever may occur also after application of zinc coatings by spray painting at low temperatures.
Identifiants
pubmed: 38982525
doi: 10.1186/s13256-024-04651-8
pii: 10.1186/s13256-024-04651-8
doi:
Substances chimiques
Zinc
J41CSQ7QDS
Types de publication
Case Reports
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
331Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
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