Zinc fume fever

Brown JJL Zinc fume fever. Br J Radiol 6E327-329, 1988... 

Vogelmeier C, Konig G, Bencze K, et al. 1987. Pulmonary involvement in zinc fume fever. Chest 92 946-949. 

Exposure to ZnO fumes and dust may induce chemical pneumonia and then severe pulmonary inflammation, with fever, hyperpnea, coughing, pains in legs and chest, vomiting, etc. This is called the zinc fume fever [5]. 

Inhalation of the fume of some metal oxides such as zinc, copper, magnesium and cadmium causes an influenza-like disease. Similar effects may follow the inhalation of polytetrafluoroethylene (ptfe) fumes. Usually there is recovery within one or two days with the exception of that due to cadmium fumes. Zinc fume fever is probably a very common disease, the diagnosis of which is often missed because of the short duration of the illness. 

The most significant occupational exposures to zinc would occur during the smelting and refining of zinc ore. The standards for occupational exposure have been estabUshed at a level to prevent the onset of metal fume fever. This temporary condition is caused by excessive exposure to freshly formed fumes of zinc oxide and results in flulike symptoms of fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting. 

METAL FUME FEVER Non-specific, Self-limiting illness resembling an attack of influenza caused mainly by exposure to fumes of zinc, copper, or magnesium and less frequently due to exposure to other metal fumes. Exposures occur from molten metals, e.g. in smelting, galvanizing, welding. 

Metal fume fever is the name given to a curious illness that can occur when some of these fumes are inhaled. It is also known as brass chills, foundry ague, or foundry shakes, among other names. The condition can occur in brass foundries, during operations in the galvanizing industry, during welding, or in processes where molten metals, particularly zinc, are used. The cause is not really understood, but the condition is well-... 

Toxicology. Inhalation of zinc oxide fume causes an influenza-like illness termed metal fume fever. 

Rohrs LC Metal-fume fever from inhaling zinc oxide. AMA Arch Ind Health 16 42-47, 1957... 

Magnesium deficiency, usually the result of decreased absorption or excessive excretion, results in neuromuscular weakness and ultimately convulsions. Dietary deficiency in catde is known as the grass staggers. Magnesium toxicity from impaired excretion or excessive consumption of antacids results in vomiting, hypertension, and central nervous systems effects. Inhalation of magnesium oxide from welding can cause metal fume fever similar to that from zinc. 

Exposure to zinc oxide fumes from welding and other operations can cause metal fume fever. Its symptoms are chills, fever, cough, and tightness in the chest. 

Toxicity and health effects Exposure to zinc oxide causes adverse health effects to the lungs and the reproductive system in experimental animals. Inhalation of zinc oxide fumes by workers causes metal fume fever. ° ... 

SAFETY PROFILE Human systemic effects by ingestion cough, dyspnea, and sweating. A human skin irritant. Pure zinc powder, dust, and fume are relatively nontoxic to humans by inhalation. The difficulty arises from oxidation of zinc fumes immediately prior to inhalation or presence of impurities such as Cd, Sb, As, Pb. Inhalation may cause sweet taste, throat dryness, cough, weakness, generalized aches, chills, fever, nausea, vomiting. 

In the industrial setting, inhalation of fumes of zinc, zinc oxide, or zinc chloride leads to pulmonary edema and metal fume fever. Onset occurs within 4-6 h and may be delayed up to 8h. Symptoms include chills alternating with fever, sweating, and weakness, which can last from 24 to 48 h. 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended exposure limits 5mgm for total zinc oxide dust as a TWA for up to a 10 h workday and a 40h workweek and a 15 min ceiling of 15mgm (based on the risk of metal fume fever). 

Zinc toxicity is uncommon. It is usually due to exposure to high levels of zinc fumes. It is difficult to induce toxicity by dietary means. However, in cases of self poisoning with zinc salts, the symptoms are fever, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhoea. 

Metal fume fever as an immunological reaction to the inhalation of metallic oxide aerosols (e.g., zinc oxide smoke) (Geldmacher von Mallinckrodt 1991a). 

Exposure to zinc dust can cause irritation, coughing, sweating, and dyspnea. A 1-hour exposure to a concentration of 100 mg/m in air may manifest the foregoing symptoms in hmnans. Toxic effects from inhalation of its fumes include weakness, dryness of throat, chills, aching, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Many zinc salts, such as zinc chloride [7646-85-7] and zinc oxide [1314-13-2], can produce metal fume fever when the fumes are inhaled. The oral toxicity of zinc chloride in experimental animals is moderate, the LDso value in rats being 350 mg/kg (NIOSH 1986). Oral administration of this salt caused colon mmors in hamsters. 

Zinc is another essential metal, a cofactor to many metalloenzymes. Its deficiency can induce effects on liver, nervons system, eye, skin and testis. Excessive intake of this metal, however, may prodnce adverse effects. The toxicity of the metal from ingestion is relatively low as it is readily excreted. Chronic exposure to the fume, however, may lead to metal fume fever, which could probably be attributed to the bivalent zinc ion, Zn +. Althongh the metal in its zero-valent state exhibits little inhalation toxicity, in its oxidation state or as oxide it can present a serions health hazard. Inhalation of Zn2+ or metal oxide fnme can prodnce a sweet metallic taste, congh, chills, fever, dry throat, nansea, vomiting, blnrred vision, ache, weakness, and other symptoms. The nontoxic fnme of the metal is snsceptible to oxidize in the air in the presence of moistnre and in contact with many other snbstances in air. The metal powder or its dnst is a skin irritant. 

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