ASSESSMENT OF THE WORKING-ENVIRONMENT HARMFUL FACTORS AND HEALTH RISKOF WORKERS IN A NITROGEN-FERTILIZER PLANT

The authors examined the influence of harmful factors of the working e nvironment such as: microclimate, dust, noise, vibrations, and chemica l noxes such as: ammonia, nitric oxides, hydrogen fluoride and gaseous fluorides, on the health status of workers involved in the production of fertilizers and ammonia in a nitrogen fertilizer plant. Various bi ochemical examinations of 158 workers were carried out. The morbidity rate for 1993-1995 was also studied. The biochemical monitoring indica ted a statistically significant dependence of the abnormalities of the biochemical parameters on the professional exposure. The metabolic di sturbances were proved by serum creatinine and urea elevations and ris ing urinary ammonia concentrations, by disturbances of the liver funct ion consisting in an enhanced transaminase activity, and by disorders of the mineral metabolism presented with an increased urinary phosphor us excretion at a low serum phosphorus level as well as with increased serum and urinary fluorine concentrations. The temporarily registered morbidity rate showed a tendency towards an increase in diseases of t he respiratory, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular system.