Iron sinter

Direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Administrative data

Endpoint:

direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Type of information:

other: case report and review

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

4 (not assignable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: case report and review

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Metal fume fever: a case report and review of the literature.

Author:

Kaye P, Young H, O’Sullivan I

Year:

2002

Bibliographic source:

Emerg Med J 2002; 19:269-269

Materials and methods

Study type:

clinical case study

Endpoint addressed:

acute toxicity: inhalation

Principles of method if other than guideline:

case report

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

iron oxide

IUPAC Name:

iron oxide

Details on test material:

metal fume

Method

Type of population:

occupational

Subjects:

- Number of subjects exposed: 1
- Sex: male
- Age: 55

Ethical approval:

not applicable

Route of exposure:

inhalation

Reason of exposure:

intentional, occupational

Exposure assessment:

not specified

Details on exposure:

working as a plumber and on the day of admission had been using an oxyacetylene torch to remove a steel tank

Medical treatment:

Oxygen therapy

Results and discussion

Results of examinations:

On examination, unable to talk in full sentences;
Respiratory rate was 24/min with an oxygen saturation of 94% in room air;
Chest examination was normal;
Pulse rate was 100/min and he was feverish at 39°C;
Blood gas analysis demonstrated acute type I respiratory failure with an arterial oxygen partial pressure of 8.8 kPa;
There was a neutrophil leucocytosis but no other abnormality of baseline pathology;
Chest radiograph revealed patchy opacification in the right perihilar area.

Effectivity of medical treatment:

Full recovery within 1 day

Outcome of incidence:

Metal Fume Fever

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

According to the authors, Metal fume fever (MFF) is an acutely noxious inhalation syndrome secondary to metal oxide fumes. Despite preventative strategies sporadic cases are likely to continue to present to emergency departments. MFF is classically associated with zinc oxide fume exposure from welding galvanized steel or brass. It is also seen in association with high temperature zinc coating processes and metal pouring in brass foundries. Magnesium and copper oxide fumes are more rarely the causative agents.

Executive summary:

A case of Metal fume fever (MFF) is described and a short review of the literature on the background, pathogenesis, and clinical presentation of this syndrome is provided. According to the authors MFF is mainly associated with exposure to zinc oxide fume, rarely with magnesium and copper oxide fume. Iron oxide fume is not mentioned.